Maersk Oil Esia-16 Environmental and Social Impact Statement - Gorm

Intended for Maersk Oil

Document type Report

Date August, 2015

MAERSK OIL ESIA-16 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT - GORM

MAERSK OIL ESIA-16 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT - GORM

Revision 4 Date 14-08-2015 Made by DMM, MIBR, HEH Checked by JLA, CFJ Approved by CFJ Description Environmental and Social Impact Statement – the GORM project

Ref ROGC-S-RA-000228

Ramboll Hannemanns Allé 53 DK-2300 Copenhagen S Denmark T +45 5161 1000 F +45 5161 1001 www.ramboll.com

Environmental and social impact statement - GORM

CONTENTS

1. Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 2. Legal Background 3 2.1 EU and national legislation 3 2.2 International conventions 4 2.3 Industry and national authority initiatives 5 3. Description of the project 6 3.1 Existing facilities 6 3.2 Planned activities 11 3.3 Accidental events 15 3.4 Project alternatives 15 4. Methodology 16 4.1 Rochdale envelope approach 16 4.2 Methodology for assessment of impacts 16 5. Environmental and social baseline 20 5.1 Climate and air quality 20 5.2 Bathymetry 20 5.3 Hydrographic conditions 21 5.4 Water quality 22 5.5 Sediment type and quality 23 5.6 Plankton 24 5.7 Benthic communities 25 5.8 Fish 26 5.9 Marine Mammals 30 5.10 Seabirds 32 5.11 Cultural heritage 34 5.12 Protected areas 34 5.13 Marine spatial use 35 5.14 Fishery 36 5.15 Tourism 38 5.16 Employment 38 5.17 Tax revenue 39 5.18 Oil and gas dependency 39 6. Impact assessment: Planned activities 40 6.1 Impact mechanisms and relevant receptors 40 6.2 Assessment of potential environmental impacts 43 6.3 Assessment of potential social impacts 65 6.4 Summary 69 7. Impact assessment: Accidental events 70 7.1 Impact mechanisms and relevant receptors 70 7.2 Assessment of potential environmental impacts 86 7.3 Assessment of potential social impacts 93 7.4 Summary 96

Environmental and social impact statement - GORM

8. Mitigating measures 97 8.1 Mitigating for planned activities 97 8.2 Mitigating of accidental events 98 9. Enviromental standards and procedures in Maersk Oil 99 9.1 Environmental management system 99 9.2 Environmental and social impact in project maturation 99 9.3 Demonstration of BAT/BEP 99 9.4 Oil spill contingency plan 100 9.5 Ongoing monitoring 101 10. Natura 2000 screening 102 10.1 Introduction 102 10.2 Designated species and habitats 102 10.3 Potential impacts 104 10.4 Screening 105 10.5 Conclusion 105 11. Transboundary impacts 106 11.1 Introduction 106 11.2 ESPOO convention 106 11.3 The GORM project 106 11.4 Identified impacts – planned activities 108 11.5 Identified impacts – accidental events 109 12. Lack of information and uncertainties 110 12.1 Project description 110 12.2 Environmental and social baseline 110 12.3 Impact assessment 110 13. References 112

APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Technical sections

Environmental and social impact statement - GORM

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Matrix for Maersk Oil ESIA-16, showing the 7 generic technical sections and the five ESIS...... 1 Figure 1-2 Project-specific environmental and social impact statement (ESIS) are prepared for the North Sea projects TYRA, HARALD, DAN, GORM and HALFDAN, respectively...... 2 Figure 3-1 Overview of existing facilities at the GORM project (not to scale). .. 6 Figure 3-2 The Gorm platform...... 7 Figure 3-3 The Skjold platform...... 8 Figure 3-4 Simplified diagram of the process at Gorm...... 9 Figure 3-5 Maximum total expected production of oil, gas and water from the GORM project. Oil and water rate are provided as standard barrels per day, while the gas rate is provided as 1000 standard cubic feet of gas per day. The expected peak in 2031 is due to the possibility for production from a new area at Dagmar...... 12 Figure 3-6 Volumes of discharged water and amount of oil discharged for the GORM project (based on minimum forecast of 10 mg/l and maximum forecast of 25 mg/l)...... 13 Figure 5-1 Bathymetry of the North Sea. Figure redrawn from Maersk Oil Atlas /3/...... 21 Figure 5-2 Left: General water circulation in the North Sea. The width of arrows is indicative of the magnitude of volume transport /10/. Right: Potential for hydrographic fronts in the North Sea /10//2/...... 22 Figure 5-3 Seabed sediments in the North Sea. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/...... 23 Figure 5-4 Phytoplankton colour index (PCI) for the North Sea. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/...... 24 Figure 5-5 Assemblages of the benthic fauna in the North Sea. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/...... 26 Figure 5-6 Spawning grounds for cod, whiting, mackerel and plaice in the North Sea. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/...... 29 Figure 5-7 Distribution of harbour porpoise in the North Sea. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/...... 31 Figure 5-8 Protected areas. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/...... 34 Figure 5-9 Ship traffic and infrastructure in 2012. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/. Ship traffic is based on all ships fitted with AIS system i.e. ships of more than 300 gross tonnage engaged on international voyages, and cargo ships of more than 500 gross tonnage not engaged on international voyages and all passengers ships irrespective of size. Missing data in the middle of the North Sea is due to poor AIS receiving coverage and not lack of ships. Germany does not participate in the North Sea AIS data sharing program. ... 36 Figure 5-10 Employment per sector in Denmark in 2013 /39/...... 38 Figure 6-1 Forecast for discharged water (stb/day) at the GORM project. Based on experience from previous years, the content of oil is expected to be on average 10 mg/l, while maximum concentrations of up to 25 mg/l may occur...... 47 Figure 6-2 Sedimentation of discharged water based drilling mud modelled for a typical well /1/...... 50 Figure 6-3 Sedimentation of water based drill cuttings modelled for a typical well /1/...... 51 Figure 7-1 Minor accidental oil, diesel and chemical spills from Maersk Oil platforms in the North Sea /144/...... 72

Environmental and social impact statement - GORM

Figure 7-2 Probability that a surface a 1 km2 cell could be impacted by oil in case of full pipeline rupture /137/...... 73 Figure 7-3 Location of two Maersk Oil modelled wells, for which oil spill modelling has been undertaken...... 75 Figure 7-4 Probability that a surface a 1 km2 cell could be impacted in Scenario 1 (sub-surface blowout between June and November, upper plot) and Scenario 2 (sub-surface blowout between December and May, lower plot) /5//25/...... 77 Figure 7-5 Probability that a water column cell could be impacted in Scenario 1 (sub-surface blowout between June and November, upper plot) and Scenario 2 (sub-surface blowout between December and May, lower plot) /5//25/...... 78 Figure 7-6 Probability that a shoreline cell could be impacted in Scenario 1 (sub-surface blowout between June and November, upper plot) and Scenario 2 (sub-surface blowout between December and May, lower plot) /5//25/...... 79 Figure 7-7 Maximum time-averaged total oil concentration for the two scenarios. Upper plot: June-November, Lower plot: December May /5/. Note that the images does not show actual footprint of an oil spill but a statistical picture based on 168/167 independently simulated trajectories...... 80 Figure 7-8 Probability that a surface a 1km cell could be impacted. Note than no surface oiling is probable, when threshold of 1 MT/km2 is applied/26//27/...... 82 Figure 7-9 Probability that a water column grid cell could be impacted/26//27/...... 83 Figure 7-10 Probability of shoreline grid cells being impacted by oil/26//27/. 84 Figure 7-11 Maximum time-averaged total oil concentration in water column cells/26//27/...... 85 Figure 9-1 Illustration of best available technique...... 99 Figure 9-2 Acoustic monitoring of marine mammals (Photo: Aarhus University, DCE)...... 101 Figure 10-1 Natura 2000 sites in the North Sea...... 102 Figure 11-1 Maersk Oil North Sea projects TYRA, HARALD, DAN, GORM and HALFDAN...... 107

Environmental and social impact statement - GORM

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ALARP As low as reasonably practicable API American Petroleum Institute gravity. An industry standard used to determine and classify of oil according to their density BAT Best available technique BEP Best environmental practice BOPD Barrels of oil per day BWPD Barrels of water per day

CO2 Carbon dioxide DEA Danish Energy Agency [Energistyrelsen] DEPA Danish Environmental Protection Agency [Miljøstyrelsen] DNA Danish Nature Agency [Naturstyrelsen] DUC Danish Underground Consortium, a joint venture with A. P. Møller – Mærsk, Shell, Chevron and the Danish North Sea Fund EIA Environmental impact assessment EIF Environmental impact factor ESIA Environmental and social impact assessment ESIS Environmental and social impact statement FTEE Full time employee equivalent GBS Gravity-based structure Hz Hertz ITOPF International tanker owners pollution federation KSCF 1000 standard cubic foot of gas MBES Multibeam echo sounder MMO Marine mammal observer MMSCFD Million standard cubic feet of gas per day NMVOC Non methane volatile organic compounds. NORM Naturally occurring radioactive material NO Nitric oxide

NO2 Nitrogen dioxide

NOx NOX is a generic term for mono-nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 (nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide) OSPAR Oslo-Paris convention for the protection of the marine environment of the North- East Atlantic PAM Passive acoustic monitoring PEC Predicted environmental concentration PLONOR Pose little of no risk

PM2.5 Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter PNEC Predicted no-effect concentration based on ecotoxicity data PPM Parts per million RBA Risk-based approach ROV Remote operated vehicle

SO2 Sulphur dioxide

SOx Refers to all sulphur oxides, the two major ones being sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide SSS Side scan sonar STB Standard barrels

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background In connection with ongoing and future oil and gas exploration, production and decommissioning activities by Maersk Oil in the Danish North Sea, an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA-16) is prepared. The overall aim of the ESIA-16 is to identify and assess the impact of the Maersk Oil activities on environmental and social receptors.

ESIA-16 shall replace the EIA conducted in 2010 /1/ which is valid for the period 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015. The ESIA-16 covers the remaining lifetime of the ongoing projects, and the whole life time from exploration to decommissioning for planned projects.

The ESIA-16 consists of five independent project-specific environmental and social impact statements (ESIS) for TYRA, HARALD, DAN, GORM and HALFDAN including seven generic technical sections that describe the typical activities (seismic, pipelines and structures, production, drilling, well stimulation, transport and decommissioning; provided in appendix 1) in ongoing and planned Maersk Oil projects. Drilling of stand alone exploration wells and replacement of existing pipelines are not included in ESIA-16 and are screened separately in accordance with Order 632 dated 11/06/2012.

Figure 1-1 Matrix for Maersk Oil ESIA-16, showing the 7 generic technical sections and the five ESIS.

The environmental and social impact statement for the GORM project covers the activities related to existing and planned projects for the Gorm facilities and its satellites Dagmar, Rolf and Skjold. The platforms are located in the North Sea about 220 km from the west coast of Jutland, Denmark (Figure 1-2).

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Figure 1-2 Project-specific environmental and social impact statement (ESIS) are prepared for the North Sea projects TYRA, HARALD, DAN, GORM and HALFDAN, respectively.

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2. LEGAL BACKGROUND

2.1 EU and national legislation 2.1.1 Environmental impact assessment directive (EIA directive) The directive on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (directive 85/337/EEC), as amended by directives 7/11/EC, 2003/35/EC and 2009/31/EC, requires an assessment of the environmental impacts prior to consent being granted. For offshore exploration and recovery of hydrocarbons this directive is implemented in Denmark as executive order 632 dated 11/06/2012. The order is under revision to implement amendments following directive 2014/52.

This ESIA-16 has been prepared in accordance with order 632 dated 11/06/2012 on environmental impact assessment (EIA) and appropriate assessment (AA) for the hydrocarbon activities [Bekendtgørelse om VVM, konsekvensvurdering vedrørende internationale naturbeskyttelsesområder og beskyttelse af visse arter ved efterforskning og indvinding af kulbrinter, lagring i undergrunden, rørledninger, m.v. offshore]. The ESIS includes:

 Transboundary significant adverse impacts are addressed (section 11), in accordance with article 8 and the ESPOO convention.  Protection of certain species mentioned in the directive article 12 (section 6)  A Natura 2000 screening is presented in this ESIS (section 10), in accordance with article 9 and 10.

The ESIS and its non-technical summary shall be made available for public consultation on the web page of the Danish Energy Agency. Public consultation shall be for a period of at least 8 weeks, in accordance with article 6.

2.1.2 Protection of the marine environment The consolidation act 963 dated 03/07/2013 on protection of the marine environment aims to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development.

The consolidation act and associated orders regulate e.g. discharges and emissions from platforms. Relevant orders include: Order 394 dated 17/07/1984 on discharge from some marine constructions, order 9840 dated 12/04/2007 on prevention on air pollution from ships, and order 909 dated 10/07/2015 on contingency plans.

2.1.3 Natura 2000 (Habitats and Bird protection directive) The "Natura 2000" network is the largest ecological network in the world, ensuring biodiversity by conserving natural habitats and wild fauna and flora in the territory of the EU. The network comprises special areas of conservation designated under the directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitats Directive, Directive 1992/43/EEC). Furthermore, Natura 2000 also includes special protection areas classified pursuant to the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) and the Ramsar convention. The directives have been transposed to Danish legislation through a number of orders (or regulatory instruments).

The Natura 2000 protection is included in the order 632 dated 11/06/2012 (section 2.1.1).

2.1.4 National emissions ceiling directive The national emission ceiling directive (directive 2001/81/EC) sets upper limits for each Member

State for the total emissions of the four pollutants nitrogen oxide NOx, volatile organic compound

(VOC), ammonia (NH3) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The directive is under revision to include

Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). The directive has been implemented by order 1325 dated 21/12/2011 on national emissions ceilings.

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2.1.5 Marine strategy framework directive The marine strategy framework directive (Directive 2008/56/EC) aims to achieve “good environmental status” of the EU marine waters by 2020. The directive has been implemented in Denmark by the act on marine strategy (act 522 dated 26/05/2010). A marine strategy has been developed by the Danish Nature Agency with a detailed assessment of the state of the environment, with a definition of "good environmental status" at regional level and the establishment of environmental targets and monitoring programs (www.nst.dk).

2.1.6 Industrial emissions directive The industrial emissions directive (directive 2010/75/EU) is about minimising pollution from various industrial sources. The directive addresses integrated pollution prevention and control based on best available technique (BAT). The directive has been implemented by the consolidation act 879 dated 26/06/2010 on protection of the environment and with respect to offshore, order 1449 dated 20/12/2012.

2.1.7 Emission allowances The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme was launched in 2005 to combat climate change and is a major pillar of EU climate policy. Under the 'cap and trade' principle, a cap is set on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by all participating installations.

The trading scheme is implemented by act 1095 dated 28/11/2012 on CO2 emission allowances.

2.1.8 Safety directive of offshore oil and gas operations The directive 2013/30/EU on safety of offshore oil and gas operations aims to ensure that best safety practices are implemented across all active offshore regions in Europe. The directive has recently been implemented by act 1499 dated 23/12/2014 on offshore safety.

2.2 International conventions 2.2.1 Espoo convention The convention on environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context (Espoo Convention) entered into force in 1991. The convention sets out the obligations of Parties to assess the environmental impact of certain activities at an early stage of planning. It also lays down the general obligation of States to notify and consult each other on all major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across national boundaries.

The Espoo convention is implemented in the EIA Directive. In Denmark, the Ministry of Environment administrate the Espoo Convention rules and is the responsible authority for the process of exchanging relevant information from the projcet owner to the potentially affected countries and possible comments from those countries in connection with the Espoo Consultation Process.

2.2.2 Convention on the prevention of marine pollution by dumping of wastes and other matter International maritime organization (IMO) convention on the prevention of marine pollution by dumping of wastes and other matter (London Convention) has been in force since 1975. Its objective is to promote the effective control of all sources of marine pollution and to take all practicable steps to prevent pollution of the sea by dumping of wastes and other matter.

2.2.3 Convention for the control and management of ships' ballast water and sediments The convention for the control and management of ships' ballast water and sediments (ballast water management convention) was adopted in 2004. The convention aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another, by establishing standards and procedures for the management and control of ships' ballast water and sediments.

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2.2.4 Ramsar convention The Ramsar convention aims he conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world .

2.2.5 The convention for the protection of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic The convention for the protection of the marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the ‘OSPAR Convention') entered into force in 1998. Contained within the OSPAR Convention are a series of Annexes which focus on prevention and control of pollution from different types of activities. OSPAR has a focus on application of the precautionary principle, and on use of best available technique (BAT), best environmental practice (BEP) and clean technologies.

A number of strategies and recommendations from OSPAR are relevant to the GORM project, most notably:

 Annual OSPAR report on discharges, spills and emissions from offshore oil and gas installations.  Reduction in the total quantity of oil in produced water discharged and the performance standard of dispersed oil of 30 mg/l (OSPAR Recommendation 2001/1).  Harmonised mandatory control system for the use and reduction of the discharge of Offshore chemicals (OSPAR decision 2005/1).  List of substances/preparations used and discharged offshore which are considered to pose little or no risk to the environment (PLONOR) (OSPAR decision 2005/1).  To phase out, by 1 January 2017, the discharge of offshore chemicals that are, or which contain substances, identified as candidates for substitution, except for those chemicals where, despite considerable efforts, it can be demonstrated that this is not feasible due to technical or safety reasons (OSPAR Recommendation 2006/3).  Risk based approach to assessment of discharged produced water (OSPAR recommendation 20012/5).  Decision 98/3 on the disposal of disused offshore installations.

2.2.6 Convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters The UNECE convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters (Aarhus convention) was adopted in 1998. The convention is about government accountability, transparency and responsiveness. The Aarhus convention grants the public rights and imposes on parties and public authorities obligations regarding access to information and public participation. The Aarhus convention is among others implemented in Denmark by the Subsoil Act 960 dated 13th September 2013.

2.3 Industry and national authority initiatives 2.3.1 Offshore action plan An offshore action plan was implemented by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the Danish operators in 2005 in order to reduce the discharge of chemicals and oil in produced water. A revised action plan for 2008-2010 was implemented to reduce emissions to air and further reduce discharges.

2.3.2 Action plan on energy efficiency An action plan on energy efficiency was implemented by the Danish Energy Agency and the Danish oil and gas operators for 2008-2011 and 2012-2014 to improve energy efficiency for the oil and gas industry. More specifically, the action plan included measures on energy management and initiatives to reduce flaring and energy consumption.

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3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

The project description for the GORM project is based on site specific input from Maersk Oil and the technical sections (appendix 1). The GORM project refers to the platform Gorm, and its satellite platforms Skjold, Rolf and Dagmar. The GORM project (capital letters) refer to the project, while Gorm refers to the platforms.

3.1 Existing facilities 3.1.1 Overview The GORM project refers to the existing and planned activities at the main production platform Gorm, and its satellite platforms Skjold, Rolf and Dagmar. The production facilities are connected by subsea pipelines, through which oil, gas and water are transported. Pipelines departing from the Gorm, Skjold, Rolf and Dagmar platforms, including the pipeline to Tyra, are considered part of the GORM project. However, the pipeline from Gorm E to the oil terminal in Frederica is not included, as this pipeline is not owned by Maersk Oil, but by DONG Oilpipe A/S.

An overview of the existing pipelines and structures for the GORM project is provided in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1 Overview of existing facilities at the GORM project (not to scale).

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3.1.2 Pipelines and structures

3.1.2.1 Gorm Gorm is located in the South-Western part of the Danish sector of the North Sea, approximately 215 km west of Esbjerg. The water depth at Gorm is 40 m.

The Gorm installation (Figure 3-2) comprises six bridge-connected platforms Gorm A, B, C, D, F and Gorm E.

Gorm A and B: 4-legged steel jacket wellhead platforms.

Gorm C: 8-legged steel jacket processing and accommodation platform. Gorm C has equipment for gas processing, stabilisation and oil processing facilities, and accommodation facilities for approximately 100 persons.

Gorm D: Tripod steel structure, supporting a flare stack for flaring when required.

Gorm E: 4-legged steel jacket riser platform, which serves as a collection and transfer point. All oil from the DUC fields is transported to Gorm E and exported 220 km to shore, and further 110 km onshore to the oil terminal in Fredericia.

Gorm F: A 4-legged steel jacket combined wellhead and processing platform. The processing equipment includes facilities for stabilisation of crude, gas compression and water reinjection.

Figure 3-2 The Gorm platform.

Gorm is primarily an oil producing and oil processing platform that receives, , processes and sends to shore the entire DUC’s oil production. The gas produced is sent to Tyra East, while the crude oil is transported to Fredericia via the Gorm E riser platform. The majority of the produced water at Gorm, Skjold and Dagmar is re-injected into the reservoir at Gorm and Skjold, while the treated produced water from Rolf is discharged to sea at Gorm.

Continuous control and monitoring of the satellite platforms Skjold, Rolf and Dagmar is carried out from Gorm.

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3.1.2.2 Skjold Skjold is situated ca. 11 km east of Gorm. The water depth at Skjold is 40 m.

The Skold installation (Figure 3-3) comprises three bridge-connected platforms Skjold A, B and C.

Skjold A: 4-legged steel jacket wellhead platform. Skjold B: STAR wellhead platform. Skjold C: STAR accommodation platform with facilities for 16 persons.

There are no processing facilities at Skjold, and the production is transported to Gorm F for processing.

Figure 3-3 The Skjold platform.

3.1.2.3 Rolf Rolf is situated ca. 17 km west of Gorm. The water depth is 34 m.

Rolf is a 4-legged steel jacket unmanned wellhead platform. There are no processing facilities at Rolf, and the production is transported via Gorm E for processing at Gorm C. Rolf is supplied with electricity and lift gas from the Gorm Field.

3.1.2.4 Dagmar Dagmar is situated ca. 9.5 km west of Gorm. The water depth at Dagmar is 33 meters.

Dagmar is an unmanned wellhead platform. Dagmar has no processing facilities and the produced crude oil and associated gas is transported to Gorm F. Dagmar has not been producing since 2005, but the production system has been maintained in order to be able to start the production at a later stage.

3.1.2.5 Pipelines The production facilities are connected by subsea pipelines, through which oil, gas and water are transported. Pipelines are trenched to a depth of 2 m or covered by rocks where above the seafloor. An overview of the existing pipelines and their content is provided in Figure 3-1.

3.1.3 Wells The GORM project currently has a total of 88 wells: 15 at Gorm A, 15 at Gorm B, 22 at Gorm F, 4 at Dagmar, 4 at Rolf, 21 at Skjold A and 7 at Skjold B. Seven well slots are available for drilling: 2 at Dagmar and 5 at Rolf.

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3.1.4 Processing capabilities The processing capability at the GORM project (at Gorm F and Gorm C) is provided in Table 3-1. The facility is designed for continuous operation 24 hours a day. Maintenance is generally planned, so only part of the facility is shut down, thus only reducing the production. The whole facility will only be shut down in case of major emergencies or maintenance operations.

Table 3-1 Processing capacity at the GORM project (Gorm F and Gorm C).

Process Unit Gorm F Gorm C Crude oil BOPD 100,640 10,064 Gas MMSCFD 149.3 134.4 Produced water BWPD 251,600 50,320 Water injection BWPD 314,500 0

There are 3 main processes:

 Separation and stabilisation process,  Gas compression and dehydration process,  Water injection process.

The drawing shown in Figure 3-4 shows the overall process as a simplified process block diagram of the oil and gas production facilities. Gas Export to Tyra (90 barg) Wet gas

Fuel Gas LP Gas Compressors IP Gas Compressors HP Gas Compressors Wet gas Wet gas Wet gas Glycol Dehydration Dry gas Dry gas Gorm C+E (4.5 → 22.5 barg) (20→60 barg) (58→137 barg) (1.4 - 14 barg)

Fuel gas Fuel gas Heating Fuel gas LP Lift Gas Wet gas (137 barg)

Stock Tank Reinjection Fuel Gas Gorm F Lift Gas Compressor Compressors Dry gas 20 barg (200 barg) (1.0→4.8 barg) (137→200 barg)

Fuel gas Power Oil/condensate from Wet gas Dan F and Tyra East

Oil HP Separators LP Separators Final Separator Oil Export Pumps Oil Export to Shore Gas Oil Oil Oil Booster Pumps Oil Oil Oil (5 - 21 barg) (1.5 - 1.7 barg) (1 barg) (80 barg) (330 km pipeline) Water

Power Power Produced Water Produced Water

Water Produced Water Water Booster Pumps Water Injection Pumps Produced Water Water Treatment (10-12 barg) (235 barg) Water Sea Water Sea Water Lift Pumps Sea water Treatment Overboard Power Fuel gas

Power

Figure 3-4 Simplified diagram of the process at Gorm.

The energy supply to the Gorm facility consists of self-produced natural gas from the Gorm field (Gorm C, E and F), imported natural gas from Tyra East and diesel supplied by ship.

Natural gas is used as fuel gas in gas turbines operating as drives for e.g. power generators, gas compressors and high-pressure water injection pumps.

Diesel is used in dual-fuel gas turbines, for cranes and for emergency equipment such as fire pumps.

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Flaring of gas at compressor inlet/outlet might be required for short periods of time in relation to to planned and controlled process operations (e.g. start up) and for safety reason in relation with unforeseen process upsets which causes overpressure of process equipment and emergency depressurization of platform equipment.

3.1.5 Waste Maersk Oil transports all waste from its Danish North Sea facilities to shore where it is recycled, incinerated or landfilled in accordance with current legislation. The last five years, an average of about 10,000 tons of waste were collected and brought onshore from all Maersk Oil facilities. In the last five years, about 99 % of the waste was recycled or incinerated. Landfilled waste is partly made up of sandblasting materials. Since 2014, most of the sand is being reused for roads construction and other building materials leading to a significant reduction in the amount of landfilled waste.

3.1.6 Normally occurring radioactive material (NORM) Normally occurring radioactive material (NORM) such as sand, scale, cleanup materials from tubing, valves or pipes are collected and brought onshore, where they are treated to remove traces of hydrocarbons or scaleformation. After treatment, the NORM is securely stored. The average quantity of NORM stored in 2013-2014 was approximately 70 tons. The quantity of NORM is expected to increase as fields are maturing and Maersk Oil is currently evaluating the best options for handling of NORM waste.

3.1.7 Discharges A number of discharges are expected as part of the planned activities, including drilling mud and cuttings, produced water and cooling water. These are described in section 3.2 and Appendix 1.

In addition, main liquid effluents generated by the vessels and platforms will comprise:

 Greywater (water from culinary activities, shower and laundry facilities, deck drains and other non-oily waste water drains (excluding sewage))  Treated blackwater (sewage)  Drainage water  Service water / vessel engine cooling water.

All discharges will comply with requirements set out in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78) and its annexes.

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3.2 Planned activities

Here, the planned activites for the GORM project are presented with reference to the seven technical sections (appendix 1).

3.2.1 Seismic Seismic surveys are performed to provide information about the subsurface geological structure to identify the location and volume of potential hydrocarbon reserves, and to ensure that seabed and subsurface conditions are suitable for planned activities (e.g. drilling and construction of production facilities).

For GORM, several types of seismic data acquisition may be carried out:

 4D seismic surveys are 3D seismic surveys repeated over a period of time, and can take several months to complete. A 4D seismic covering an area of a few hundred km2 is planned for 2016 or 2017, and expected to be repeated about every 4 years.  Drilling hazard site surveys (one per year expected) may include 2D HR multi-channel and single-channel seismic, side scan sonar, single and multi-beam echo-sounder, seabed coring and magnetometer. Typical duration of such a survey is 1 week covering an area of 1x1 km.  Borehole seismic surveys (one per year expected) are conducted with a number of geophones that are lowered into a wellbore to record data. The duration is usually one to two days.

3.2.2 Pipelines and structures For the GORM project, no new pipelines or structures are planned. However, regular maintenance of the existing pipelines and structures will be undertaken including external visual inspections by remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and an internal inspection/cleaning of pipelines (pigging).

If inspection surveys reveals that the replacement of existing pipelines is necessary, a separate project and environmental screening will be carried out.

3.2.3 Production Production was initiated at Gorm in 1981, then later at Skjold (1982), Rolf (1986) and Dagmar (1991). The total production for the GORM project peaked in 1999 and has been on a natural decline since. This reflects the fact that the majority of the fields are in a relatively mature stage in the production cycle.

Throughout their productive life, most oil wells produce oil, gas, and water. Initially, the mixture coming from the reservoir may be mostly hydrocarbons but over time, the proportion of water increases and the fluid processing becomes more challenging. Processing is required to separate the fluids produced from the reservoirs.

The maximum total expected production of oil, gas and water from the GORM project is shown in Figure 3-5. The hydrocarbon production peak observed around year 2031 is related to a potential development project at Dagmar. Dagmar is currently not producing.

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Figure 3-5 Maximum total expected production of oil, gas and water from the GORM project. Oil and water rate are provided as standard barrels per day, while the gas rate is provided as 1000 standard cubic feet of gas per day. The expected peak in 2031 is due to the possibility for production from a new area at Dagmar.

Maersk Oil uses production chemicals (e.g. H2S scavenger, biocides) to optimise the processing of the produced fluids. The inventory of Maersk Oil main chemicals, their general use and partitioning in water/oil phase is presented in appendix 1. A fraction of the oil and chemicals is contained in the treated produced water which is re-injected into the reservoirs or discharged. At the GORM project, more thant 95 % of the produced water is normally reinjected. Discharges of produced water to sea is permitted only after authorisation from the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Figure 3-6 Volumes of discharged water and amount of oil discharged for the GORM project (based on minimum forecast of 10 mg/l and maximum forecast of 25 mg/l).

The nature, type and quantities of chemicals that are used in production and discharged to sea are expected to be adjusted to follow changes in production and technical development. In 2013- 2014, about 6,350 tons of chemicals were used for production at the GORM project and about 150 tons of chemicals were discharged to sea at the Gorm platform. As a general rule, the amount of chemical used, is somewhat related to the volume of produced water. For the GORM project, the amount of produced water discharge is expected to increase to about 25 % of its present rate and peak around 2018-2020 from when it will progressively decrease (Figure 3-6). In the future, Maersk Oil will continue to reduce the risk of impact of the discharges on the marine environment, by reducing of the volume chemical discharged, improving of the treatment processes or selecting alternative chemicals (see mitigating measures in section 8).

The GORM project contributes to 1-2 % of the total amount of oil in produced water discharges to sea. The estimates of oil discharges (average and maximum, Figure 3-5) are based on produced water discharge forecasts and historical oil in water figures at Gorm. Oil content in produced water is regulated by OSPAR and the total amount of oil discharged to sea is limited by the DEPA.

Maersk Oil has flowmeters measuring the volume of discharged produced water, and water samples are regularly obtained for analysis of oil and chemical content. The nature, type and quantities chemical used and chemicals and oil discharged to sea are reported to the DEPA.

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3.2.4 Drilling Drilling of wells is necessary for extracting oil and gas resources. Wells are used for transporting the fluid (a mixture of oil, gas, water, sand and non-hydrocarbon gasses) from the geological reservoir to Maersk Oil installations, where fluid processing takes place. Wells are also used for injection of water (seawater or produced water) or gas to increase reservoir pressure and enhance the oil and gas recovery rate.

For the GORM project, drilling is limited to existing well slots. There are a total of 7 free well slots: 2 at Dagmar and 5 at Rolf. Maersk Oil has not decided whether these free well slots will be drilled. Typical well types are presented in appendix 1. It has not been decided which type of well will be applicable for the GORM project. Drillling is performed from a drilling rig, which is placed on the seabed (with an expected area of few hundred m2), and a new well will typically take up to 150 days to drill. Different types of drilling mud will be used based on the well and reservoir properties. Water-based mud and cuttings will be discharged to the sea, whereas oil-based mud and cuttings will be brought onshore to be dried and incinerated. Discharges to sea is permitted only after authorisation from the Environmental Protection Agency. Water-based drilling mud and drill cuttings may contain traces of oil from the reservoir sections. The oil content in the water- based drilling mud and drill cuttings is monitored regularly to ensure it does not exceed 2%, on average. It is estimated that on average 7 tons of oil per 1,000 m reservoir section can be discharged to sea corresponding to a maximum discharge of 28.8 tons of oil per well (type 2 and 4 with a 5,000 m reservoir section).

For the GORM project, 21 wells (16 at Gorm and 5 at Skjold) may be subjected to slot recovery or re-drill. When production from an existing well is no longer profitable, the slots may be re- used to access additional resources. This can be done in two ways: Slot recovery or re-drill. For slot recovery, the redundant well is abandoned and a new well is drilled and completed from a new conductor. For re-drill, sections of the redundant well are re-used. The nature and type of discharges and emissions related to slot recovery or re-drill operations will be less or equivalent to that of a well abandonment and the drilling of a well.

3.2.5 Well stimulation The purpose of well stimulation is to improve the contact between the well and reservoir, thereby facilitating hydrocarbon extraction (for a production well) or water injection (for an injection well). Well testing is performed to evaluate the production potential of a well after stimulation.

At the GORM project, the new wells (up to 7) may be subjected to matrix acid stimulation or acid fracturing. The existing wells at the GORM project may be subjected to matrix acid stimulations (in total up to 2 per year). Use and discharge (e.g. drilling and maintenance) of chemicals are presented in appendix 1. Discharges to sea is permitted only after authorisation from the DEPA.

3.2.6 Transport Personnel and cargo are transported daily to support Maersk Oil’s production and drilling operations via helicopters, supply vessels and survey vessels. Standby vessel may be employed in connection with drilling and tasks requiring work over the side of the installation.

Gorm and Skjold are manned at all time, while Rolf and Dagmar are unmanned (section 3.1.2).

3.2.7 Decommissioning Decommissioning will be done in accordance with technical capabilities, legislation, industry experience, international conventions and the legal framework at the time of decommissioning. Decommissioning will be planned in accordance with the OSPAR decision 98/3 on the disposal of disused offshore installations.

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The following general decommissioning approach is expected to be followed:

 Wells will be permanently plugged towards the reservoir and the casing above the seabed will be removed.  The platform facilities and jackets will be cleaned, removed and brought to shore for dismantling. Hydrocarbons and waste will be sent to shore for disposal.  Buried pipelines will be cleaned, and left in situ, filled with seawater.

Decommissioning of the facilities is expected to generate up to 43,000 tons of waste which will be brought onshore and treated accordingly. The main source of waste is expected to be from the steel from the jacket and the topside facilities.

3.3 Accidental events The accidental events, considered here, are accidents that could take place during exploration, production and decommissioning activities at the GORM project that can lead to environmental or social impacts.

Accidents occur as a result of a loss of primary containment event (oil, gas or chemical). Generally, the sequence of events leading to loss of primary containment are complex and a large number of scenarios can be envisioned (e.g. /121//122/).

The scenarios associated with Maersk Oil activities at the GORM project that can lead to major accidents with a risk of major significant impacts are listed in the technical sections and include vessels collisions, pipeline rupture due to corrosion, erosion or impact, well blow out, impact on major platform equipment. Small operational accidental spills of oil or chemical or gas release could also occur.

3.4 Project alternatives Maersk Oil has considered several alternatives for planned activities. The alternatives have been evaluated based on technical, financial, environmental and safety parameters.

3.4.1 0 alternative The 0 alternative (zero alternative) is a projection of the anticipated future development without project realization, and describes the potential result if nothing is done. For the GORM project, this would mean that the production would cease.

The offshore oil and gas production is important to Danish economy. Thousands of people are employed in the offshore industry, and tax revenue to the state of Denmark is significant. The state’s total revenue is estimated to range from DKK 20 to DKK 25 billion per year for the period from 2014 to 2018.

The Danish government has set a target of 30 % of the Danish energy use is provided from renewable energy by 2020. As part of a long-term Danish energy strategy, the oil and gas production is considered instrumental in maintaining high security of supply. Denmark is expected to continue being a net exporter of natural gas up to and including 2025 and Maersk Oil has license to operate until 2042 /35/.

If no production is undertaken by Maersk Oil for the GORM project in the North Sea, there will be no contribution to the Danish economy or security of supply from the GORM project.

3.4.2 Technical alternatives Technical alternatives for seismic, pipelines and structures, production, drilling, well stimulation, transport and decommissioning are presented in appendix 1.

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4. METHODOLOGY

The ESIS is based on the 2014 North Sea Atlas, technical reports, EIAs, peer-reviewed scientific literature, Maersk monitoring reports and industry reports.

4.1 Rochdale envelope approach The adoption of the Rochdale Envelope approach allows meaningful ESIA to take place by defining a ’realistic worst case’ scenario that decision makers can consider in determining the acceptability, or otherwise, of the environmental impacts of a project.

The Rochdale Envelope Approach allows a project description to be broadly defined. The project can be described by a series of maximum extents – the ‘realistic worst case’ scenario. The detailed design of the scheme can then vary within this ‘envelope’ without invalidating the corresponding ESIA.

Where a range is provided, e.g. amounts of produced water or volume of drilling mud, the most detrimental is assessed in each case. For example, the impact assessment for the GORM project is based on the maximum volume of discharged produced water, the maximum number of wells.

4.2 Methodology for assessment of impacts The potential impacts of the GORM project on the environmental and social receptors (e.g. water quality, climate and fishery) are assessed for exploration, production and decommissioning.

The assessment covers the direct and indirect, cumulative and transboundary, permanent or temporary, positive and negative, impacts of the project. Impacts are evaluated based on their nature, type, reversibility, intensity, extent and duration in relation to each receptor (social and environmental).

The proposed methodology used for assessment of impacts includes the following criteria for categorising environmental and social impacts:

 Value of the receptor  Nature, type and reversibility of impact  Intensity, geographic extent and duration of impacts  Overall significance of impacts  Level of confidence

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4.2.1 Value of receptor Various criteria are used to determine value/sensitivity of each receptor, including resistance to change, rarity and value to other receptors (Table 4-1).

Table 4-1 Criteria used to assess the value of receptor.

Value

Low A receptor that is not important to the functions/services of the wider ecosystem/socioeconomy or that is important but resistant to change (in the context of project activities) and will naturally or rapidly revert to pre-impact status once activities cease.

Medium A receptor that is important to the functions/services of the wider ecosystem/socioeconomy. It may not be resistant to change, but it can be actively restored to pre-impact status or will revert naturally over time.

High A receptor that is critical to ecosystem/socioeconomy functions/services, not resistant to change and cannot be restored to pre-impact status.

4.2.2 Nature, type and reversibility of impacts Impacts are described and classified according to their nature, type and reversibility (Table 4-2).

Table 4-2 Classification of impacts: Nature, type and reversibility of impacts.

Nature of impact

Negative Impacts that are considered to represent an adverse change from the baseline (current condition).

Positive Impacts that are considered to represent an improvement to the baseline.

Type of impact

Direct Impacts that results from a direct interaction between a planned project activity and the receiving environment.

Indirect or secondary Impacts which are not a direct result of the project, but as a result of a pathway (e.g. environmental). Sometimes referred to as second level or secondary impacts.

Cumulative Impacts that result from incremental changes caused by past, present or reasonably foreseeable human activities with the project.

Degree of reversibility

Reversible Impacts on receptors that cease to be evident after termination of a project activity.

Irreversible Impacts on receptors that are evident following termination of a project activity.

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4.2.3 Intensity, geographic extent and duration of impacts Potential impacts are defined and assessed in terms of extent and duration of an impact (Table 4-3).

Table 4-3 Classification of impacts in terms of intensity, extent and duration.

Intensity of impacts

None No impacts on the receptor within the affected area.

Small Small impacts on individuals/specimen within the affected area, but overall the functionality of the receptor remains unaffected.

Medium Partial impacts on individuals/specimen within the affected area. Overall, the functionality of the receptor will be partially lost within the affected area.

Large Partial impacts on individuals/specimen within the affected area. Overall, the functionality of the receptor will be partially or completely lost within and outside the affected area.

Geographical extent of impacts

Local Impacts are restricted to the area where the activity is undertaken (within 10 km).

Regional There will be impacts outside the immediate vicinity of the project area (local impacts), and more than 10 km outside project area.

National Impacts will be restricted to the Danish sector.

Transboundary Impacts will be experienced outside of the Danish sector.

Duration of impacts

Short-term Impacts throughout the project activity and up to one year after.

Medium-term Impacts that continue over an extented period, between one and ten years after the project activity.

Long-term Impacts that continue over an extented period, more than ten years after the project activity.

4.2.4 Overall significance The definition of the levels of overall significance of impact are separated for environmental and social receptors (Table 4-4).

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Table 4-4 Classification of overall significance of impacts.

Overall Impacts on environmental receptors Impacts on social receptors significance

Positive Positive impacts on the structure or function of the receptor

Negligible No measurable impacts on the structure or function of the receptor. negative

Minor Impact to the structure or function of the Impact that is inconvenient to a small negative receptor is localised and immediate or number of individual(s) with no long-term short-term. When the activity ceases, the consequence on culture, quality of life, impacted area naturally restores to pre- infrastructure and services. The impacted impact status. receptor will be able to adapt to change with relative ease and maintain pre-impact livelihood.

Moderate Impact to the structure or function of the Impact that is inconvenient to several negative receptor is local or regional and over individuals on culture, quality of life, short- to medium-term. The structure or infrastructure and services. The impacted ecosystem function of the receptor may receptor will be able to adapt to change be partially lost. Populations or habitats with some difficulties and maintain pre- may be adversely impacted, but the impact livelihood with some degree of functions of the ecosystem are support. maintained. When the activity ceases, the impacted area restores to pre-impact status through natural recovery or some degree of intervention.

Major Impact to the structure or function of the Impact that is widespread and likely negative receptor is regional, national or impossible to reverse for. The impacted international and medium- to long-term. receptors will not be able to adapt or Populations or habitats and ecosystem continue to maintain pre-impact livelihood function are substantially adversely without intervention. impacted. The receptor cannot restore to pre-impact status without intervention.

4.2.5 Level of confidence It is important to establish the uncertainty or reliability of data that are used to predict the magnitude of the effects and the vulnerability of the receptors, as the level of confidence in the overall level of significance depends on it.

There are three levels of confidence for the impact:

 Low: Interactions are poorly understood and not documented. Predictions are not modelled and maps are based on expert interpretation using little or no quantitative data. Information/data have poor spatial coverage/resolution.  Medium: Interactions are understood with some documented evidence. Predictions may be modelled but not validated and/or calibrated. Mapped outputs are supported by a moderate negative degree of evidence. Information/data have relatively moderate negative spatial coverage/resolution.  High: Interactions are well understood and documented. Predictions are usually modelled and maps based on interpretations are supported by a large volume of data. Information/data have comprehensive spatial coverage/resolution.

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5. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE

The environmental and social baseline contains a general description of each potential receptor, and site-specific information to the GORM project where applicable.

The baseline includes the following potential receptors:

 Environmental  Climate and air quality  Bathymetry  Hydrographic conditions  Water quality  Sediment type and quality  Plankton (phytoplankton and zooplankton)  Benthic communities (fauna and flora)  Fish  Marine mammals  Seabirds  Cultural heritage  Protected areas (Natura 2000, UNESCO world heritage, national nature reserves)

 Social  Marine spatial use  Fishery  Tourism  Employment  Tax revenue  Oil and Gas dependency

5.1 Climate and air quality The North Sea is situated in temperate latitudes with a climate characterised by large seasonal contrasts. The climate is strongly influenced by the inflow of oceanic water from the Atlantic Ocean and by the large scale westerly air circulation which frequently contains low pressure systems /10/.

Air quality in the North Sea is a combination of global and local emissions. Industrialisation of the coast and inshore area adjacent to certain parts of the central North Sea has led to increased levels of pollutants in these areas which decrease further offshore, though shipping and platforms provide point sources of atmospheric pollution /126/.

5.2 Bathymetry The North Sea is a part of the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean, located between the British Isles and the mainland of north-western Europe. The western part of the Danish North Sea is relatively shallow, with water depths between 20 – 40 m, while the Northern part is deeper (e.g. the Norwegian Trench and the Skagerrak; Figure 5-1).

The GORM project is located in the shallowest part of the Maersk oil activity area, with depth ranging from about 33 to 40 m /3/.

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Figure 5-1 Bathymetry of the North Sea. Figure redrawn from Maersk Oil Atlas /3/.

5.3 Hydrographic conditions The North Sea is a semi-enclosed sea. The water circulation is determined by inflow from the North Atlantic, water through the English Channel, river outflow from the Rhine and Meuse and the outgoing current from the Baltic Sea through Skagerrak (Figure 5-2). These inputs of water, in close interaction with tidal forces and wind and air pressures, create a complicated flow pattern in the North Sea. The GORM project is in the central North Sea, where the dominant water circulation is eastward.

Hydrographic fronts are created where different water masses meet, and include areas of upwelling, tidal fronts, and saline fronts. Hydrographic fronts are considered of great importance to the North Sea ecosystems. No potential for hydrographic fronts has been identified in the central North Sea where the GORM project is located.

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Potential fronts

Figure 5-2 Left: General water circulation in the North Sea. The width of arrows is indicative of the magnitude of volume transport /10/. Right: Potential for hydrographic fronts in the North Sea /10//2/.

5.4 Water quality Salinity: Salinity in the North Sea varies from saline water in the west to brackish water along the coastal areas in the East. In the GORM project area, the salinity does not show much seasonal variation with surface and bottom salinity of 34-35 psu /3/.

Temperature: Temperature in the North Sea varies seasonally. The lowest temperatures are found in the Northern part of the North Sea, and the highest temperature in the shallower areas in the Southern North Sea. In the GORM project area, the surface temperature is approximately 7 ˚C in winter (January) and between 15-19 ˚C in summer (August), while the bottom temperature varies from 6-8 ˚C in winter (January) and 8-18 ˚C in summer (August) /3/.

Nutrients: Concentrations of nutrients in the North Sea surface layer have been modelled /3/. The concentrations are highest (>0.04 mg/l for phosphate, and >0.30 mg/l for nitrate) along the coastal areas, near output of large rivers. The concentrations in the surface layer in the GORM project area ranges between 0.025-0.035 mg/l for phosphate and between 0.1-0.15 mg/l for nitrate /3/.

Heavy metals: Water concentrations of metals in North Sea for cadmium ranges 6-34 ng Cd/l, copper 140-360 ng Cu/l, lead 20-30 ng Pb/l, mercury 0.05-1.3 ng Hg/l and nickel 100-400 ng Ni/l /29/. Metal cycles in the ocean are governed by seasonally variable physical and biological processes. The biologically driven metals (Cd, Cu, Ni) follow nutrient like distributions with higher concentration found in deep water. Certain metals, including Cd and Cu, exhibit higher concentrations near and on the shelf compared to the open sea areas /29/. No site-specific information on metals in seawater is available.

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5.5 Sediment type and quality The Danish sector of the North Sea is generally characterized by sediments consisting of sand, muddy sand and mud, with smaller areas of till with coarse sediments. The GORM project is situated in an area with the substrate type “sand to muddy sand” (Figure 5-3).

Figure 5-3 Seabed sediments in the North Sea. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/.

The surface sediment in the GORM area consists of fine sand with a median grain size (D50) between 0.12 – 0.22 mm. The silt/clay content of the sediment is below 0.23 % DM, the content of organic matter measured as loss on ignition is below 0.82 % DM, the dry matter content ranges 78 – 84 % WW, and the content of total organic carbon (TOC) is below 0.17 % DM. The concentrations of THC is 1 – 60 mg THC/kg DM, the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) below 0.3 mg/kg DM while the concentrations of alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons (NPD) ranges 0.01 – 0.06 mg/kg DM /6/.

Concentrations of metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn /6/) are below the Lower Action Levels for dumping of seabed material defined by the Danish EPA, and thus characterised as having ”average background levels or insignificant concentrations with no expected negative impact on marine organisms” /8/.

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5.6 Plankton The plankton community may be broadly divided into a plant component (phytoplankton) and an animal component (zooplankton). Plankton constitutes the main primary and secondary biomass in marine ecosystems and plays a fundamental role in marine food-webs.

In the North Sea, the phytoplankton is mainly light-limited in winter and nutrient-limited in the water above the thermocline in summer /10/. Figure 5-4 shows the phytoplankton colour index (PCI) for the North Sea over the course of the year. PCI is a visual estimation directly related to the biomass and abundance of the phytoplankton. The highest biomass and abundance of phytoplankton is found in the Eastern and Southern parts of the North Sea. The GORM project is in an area with an average biomass and abundance in comparison with the rest of the North Sea, and the phytoplankton community is dominated by dinoflagellates and diatoms /3/.

Figure 5-4 Phytoplankton colour index (PCI) for the North Sea. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/.

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Zooplankton forms the link in the food web whereby the primary production by phytoplankton is channelled to the highest trophic levels through plankton-feeders such as herring (Clupea harengus), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), and sandeels (Ammodytes spp.). Generally, zooplankton abundance varies between areas owing to differences in production, predation, and transport. Nevertheless, the zooplankton community in the central North Sea is generally homogeneous /12/.

The zooplankton communities in the North Sea are dominated in terms of biomass and productivity by copepods, particularly Calanus species such as C. finmarchicus and C. helgolandicus /3/. Calanoid copepods are large crustaceans (in a planktonic context) which range in size between 0.5 – 6 mm and are an important prey item for many species at higher trophic levels. In the GORM project area, the abundance of copepods is intermediate compared to the North Sea, with 5.5 – 9.5 ind/m3 of C. finmarchicus and 6.5 – 12 ind/m3 for C. helgolandicus /3/.

The larger zooplankton, known as megaplankton, includes euphausiids (krill), thaliacea (salps and doliolids), siphonophores and medusae (jellyfish). Meroplankton comprises the larval stages of benthic organisms and fish that spend a short period of their lifecycle in the pelagic stage before settling on the benthos. Important groups within this category include the larvae of starfish and sea urchins, crabs and lobsters and some fish /11/.

5.7 Benthic communities

5.7.1 Benthic flora Macrophytes (macroalgae and higher plants) grow in conditions that feature exceptionally diverse and dynamic light regimes. The water clarity and hydrodynamic conditions have profound effects on the quantity and quality of the light available for marine plants at specific localities, thus directly influencing the biomass and species composition of the benthic communities in the North Sea. The depth of the photic zone for benthic plants is traditionally defined as the depth where 1 % of the surface irradiance is available for photosynthesis /10/.

The water depth at the GORM project and in its vicinity is approximately 40 m. At this depth, it is highly unlikely that any macrophytes are to be found.

5.7.2 Benthic fauna The benthic fauna consists of epifauna and infauna (organisms living on or in the seabed, respectively) such as crustaceans, molluscs, annelids, echinoderms.

The 50 m, 100 m, and 200 m depth contours broadly define the boundaries between the main benthic communities in the North Sea, with local community structure further modified by sediment type /13//14/. Descriptions of the spatial distribution of infaunal and epifaunal invertebrates show that the diversity of infauna and epifauna is lower in the southern North Sea than in the central and northern North Sea. Epifaunal communities are dominated by free-living species in the south and sessile species in the north. Large-scale spatial gradients in biomass are less pronounced /15/.

Biological monitoring in the GORM project area in June 2012 shows that echinoderms and polychaetes were the most abundant taxa and accounted for 97 % of the average abundance (6,850-18,800 ind/m2). The biomass was highly variable (7-340 g DW/m2), and dominated by echinoderms, bivalves and polychaetes /6/.

Figure 5-5 shows benthic fauna in the North Sea as assemblages of benthic fauna in the North Sea.

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Figure 5-5 Assemblages of the benthic fauna in the North Sea. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/.

5.8 Fish Approximately 230 species of fish are found the North Sea. Fish species diversity is low in the shallow southern North Sea and eastern Channel and increases westwards. Species diversity is also generally higher close to shore as the habitat diversity increases. Most of the variability of the fish stocks is due to variation in egg and larval survival which is thought to be regulated by a number of factors, such as sea temperature and currents affecting larval drift to nursery grounds, as well as density-dependent predation on the eggs and larvae. Annual variability in recruitment of juveniles can differ by a factor of 5 for plaice, 50 for sole and more than 100 for haddock. Most species show annual or inter-annual movements related to feeding and spawning /10/.

A fish survey was carried out in the period from November 2002 to July 2003 at the Halfdan platform located about 10 km from the GORM project. A total of 16 species of fish are registered: Eight pelagic or semi-pelagic (Atlantic horse mackerel, Atlantic mackerel, cod, grey gurnard, herring, sandeel, sprat, whiting), and eight benthic species (American plaice, common dab, common dragonet, European plaice, haddock, hooknose/armed bullhead, lemon sole, lumpfish) /19/.

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The dominating species were: sprat, herring, whiting, grey gurnard, Atlantic horse mackerel, Atlantic mackerel, common dab, American plaice and European plaice. Herring and sprat were registered during the fall whereas Atlantic horse mackerel and Atlantic mackerel were registered in the summer period. Common dab, American plaice and grey gurnard were registered all time of the year.

The abundance of fish in the central North Sea is relatively low in comparison to other parts of the North Sea. The fish fauna is characterised by common dab, grey gurnard and whiting /135/.

The biology of the dominating species registered in the area is described in Table 5-1.

Table 5-1 Distribution and biology of the dominating species registered in the area /23//24/. Further information on spawning areas and catch are presented for selected species in /3/.

Species Distribution and biology Atlantic horse Horse mackerel has a restricted distribution during summer, with the greatest densities mackerel in the south-eastern North Sea and adults also being found along the shelf edge in the (Trachurus northern North Sea. The species is notably absent from the central North Sea. Juvenile trachurus) horse mackerel are pelagic feeders that prey on planktonic organisms. Larger individuals feed on small fish (e.g. herring, cod and whiting). Peak spawning in the North Sea falls in May and June. Spawning occurs off the coasts of Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark. American American plaice can be found throughout the North Sea. It prefers soft bottoms. Larvae plaice feed on plankton, diatoms and copepods. Preferred food items for larger fish incudes sea (Hippoglossoides urchins, brittle stars, polychaetes, crustaceans and small fish. Spawning takes place platessoides) during spring at 100-200 meter depth. Atlantic Mackerel are widespread throughout the North Sea. Mackerel feed on a variety of pelagic mackerel crustaceans and small fish. In the North Sea, mackerel overwinter in deep water along (Scomber the edge of the continental shelf and, in the spring, adult mackerel migrate south to the scombrus) spawning areas in the central North Sea with extensions along the southern coast of Norway and in the Skagerrak. Spawning takes place between May and July. Common dab Dab is a demersal fish. It lives on sandy bottoms down to depths of about 150 metres. (Limanda Preferred food items incudes sea urchins, brittle stars, polychaetes, crustaceans, limanda) mussels and small fish. In the North Sea spawning takes place between April and June. European European plaice has a preference for sandy sediments although older age groups may be plaice found on coarser sand. During summer juvenile plaice are concentrated in the Southern (Pleuronectes and German Bights and also occur along the east coast of Britain and in the Skagerrak platessa) and Kattegat. Juveniles are found at lower densities in the central North Sea and are virtually absent from the north-eastern part. Plaice is an opportunistic species which primarily forage on molluscs and polychaetes. Plaice spawns in winter from January to March. Spawning areas occur in the central part of the North Sea and in the English Channel. Grey gurnard Grey gurnard occurs throughout the North Sea. Most common on sandy bottoms, but (Eutrigla also on mud, shell and rocky bottoms. During winter, grey gurnards are concentrated to gurnardus) the northwest of the Dogger Bank at depths of 50-100 m, while densities are low in areas off the Danish coast, and in the German Bight and eastern part of the Southern Bight. Juveniles feed on a variety of small crustaceans. The diet of older specimens mainly consists of larger crustaceans and small fish. The distribution maps indicate a marked seasonal northwest-southeast migration pattern that is rather unusual. The population is concentrated in the central western North Sea during winter and spreads into the southeastern part during spring to spawn. In the northern North Sea, such shifts appear to be absent. Spawning takes place in spring and summer.

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Species Distribution and biology Herring Within the North Sea herring may be found everywhere. The pelagic larvae feed on (Clupea copepods and other small planktonic organisms while juvenile mainly feeds on Calanoid harengus) copepods but euphausids, hyperiid amphipods, juvenile sandeels and fish eggs are also eaten. Larger herring also consuming predominantly copepods with small fish, arrow worms and ctenophores as an aside. After spending their first few years in coastal nurseries, two-year-old herring move offshore into deeper waters, eventually joining the adult population in the feeding and spawning migrations to the western areas of the North Sea. Herring is a demersal spawner on relatively shallow water depositing sticky eggs on coarse sand, gravel, shells and small stones. The fish congregate on traditional spawning grounds, many of which are on shoals and banks and in relatively shallow water. Sprat Sprat is most abundant south of the Dogger Bank and in the Kattegat. Larvae feed on (Sprattus diatoms, copepods and crustacean larvae. After metamorphosis larger planktonic Sprattus) organisms are also eaten. Spawning occurs in both coastal and offshore waters during spring and late summer, with peak spawning between May and June. Whiting High densities of both small and large whiting may be found almost everywhere (Merlangius throughout the North Sea. The species is typically found near the bottom in waters at 10 merlangus) to 200 m depth. Pelagic larvae feed on nauplii and copepodite stages of copepods. Immature whiting feed on crustaceans such as euphausids, mysids and crangonid shrimps whereas mature whitings feed almost entirely on fish. Spawning takes place from January in the southern North Sea to July in the northern part.

There are two main forms of spawning: Demersal and pelagic spawning.

Demersal spawners lay their eggs on the seafloor, algae or boulders. The preferred habitat for demersal spawners is species specific.

Pelagic spawners have free floating eggs that are fertilized in the water column. Spawning grounds for pelagic spawners are often large and less well defined as they can move from year to year. Hydrographic conditions that are essential for the pelagic spawning have an important role regulating the boundaries of the spawning grounds. Pelagic spawning takes place mostly at depths of 20-100 m. Pelagic eggs and larvae are more or less passively carried around by ocean currents. Some are carried to nursery areas others stay in the water column. Larval growth and transport of larvae and eggs are regulated by a variety of environmental factors e.g. current, wind and temperature.

A fish survey was carried out in the period from November 2002 to July 2003 at the Halfdan platform located about 10 km from the GORM project. Fish eggs from the following 13 species were registred: Common dab, European plaice, American plaice, cod, lemon sole, Atlantic mackerel, whiting, turbot, greater weever, grey gurnard, Mediterranean scaldfish, Arctic rockling and common dragonet /19/. Since Halfdan and the GORM project is relatively near each other (10 km) it is likely that these species also spawn at the GORM project.

The GORM project is in an area designated as a relatively important spawning ground for cod and whiting. Mackrel and plaice are also know to be spawning in the area or close by (Figure 5-6), but it does not seem to be an important spawning and nursery area for other commercial species /3//22/.

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Figure 5-6 Spawning grounds for cod, whiting, mackerel and plaice in the North Sea. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/.

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5.9 Marine Mammals Harbour seal, grey seal, white-beaked dolphin, minke whale and harbour porpoise are the most common marine mammals in the North Sea /28/. The distribution and biology of these species as well as their habitat preference are described in Table 5-2.

Table 5-2 Distribution and biology of the most common marine mammals; harbour seal, grey seal, harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphin /30//31//32//33//40/.

Species Distribution and biology Harbour seals Harbour seals are one of the most widespread of the pinnipeds. They are found (Phoca vitulina) throughout coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere, from temperate to Polar Regions. Harbour seals are mainly found in the coastal waters of the continental shelf and slope, and are also commonly found in bays, rivers, estuaries and intertidal areas. At sea, they are most often seen alone, but occasionally occur in small groups. Haul-out sites include rocks, sand and shingle beaches, sand bars, mud flats, vegetation and a variety of man-made structures /30/. Grey seals Grey seals have a cold temperate to sub-Arctic distribution in North Atlantic (Halichoerus grypus) waters over the continental shelf. They often haul out on land, especially on outlying islands and remote coastlines exposed to the open sea /32/. White-beaked dolphin White-beaked dolphins have a wide distribution and inhabit cold temperate to (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) subpolar waters of the North Atlantic. White-beaked dolphins inhabit continental shelf and offshore waters of the cold temperate to subpolar zones, although there is evidence suggesting that their primary habitat is in waters less than 200 m deep. The species is found widely over the continental shelf, but especially along the shelf edge /33/. Two white-beaked dolphins were observed during aerial surveys in the Southern Maersk area in March 2008. No animals have been registered by acoustic monitoring, and the species is considered uncommon in the Southern Maersk area /40/. Harbour porpoise Harbour porpoise are found in cold temperate to sub-polar waters of the (Phocoena phocoena) Northern Hemisphere. They are usually found in continental shelf waters, and frequent relatively shallow bays, estuaries, and tidal channels /31/. Harbour porpoise is the most common whale species in the North Sea, and the only marine mammal which frequently occurs in the Maersk Oil area /40/. They are mostly found in the eastern, western and southern parts of the North Sea, and generally found in low densities in the central part of the North Sea (Figure 5-7). The GORM project area is not of particular importance to harbour porpoise, and few individuals are observed. Aerial surveys in the Southern Maersk area in May show densities of 0.25-0.4 harbour porpoises/km2 near the platforms, and few animals in autumn. However, acoustic monitoring show high activity in autumn /40/. A recent study at the Dan platform /124/ showed that harbour porpoises are present around the platform all year with the highest echolocation activity during fall and winter. Minke whale The minke whale is a cosmopolitan species found in all oceans and in virtually (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) all latitudes, including the Northeast Atlantic. Minke whale occurs in both coastal and offshore waters and preys on a variety of species in different areas. Less than 0.025 animlas/km2 is expected in the central North Sea /33/

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Figure 5-7 Distribution of harbour porpoise in the North Sea. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/.

The periods where the animals may be vulnerable to disturbance are related to the reproductive cycle (Table 5-2). The reproductive cycle of seals is primarily on land, while harbour porpoise is at sea.

Table 5-3 Time of year where animals are breeding (B), moulting (M) or mating (A). No data available for the other species.

Species J F M A M J J A S O N D Grey seal B BA A M M M Harbour seal B BA M M Harbour porpoise B B A A

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5.10 Seabirds Seabirds spends most of their life at sea but breed on rocky coasts and cliffs. In the North Sea region, common seabirds include fulmars, gannets and auk species, kittiwakes and skuas.

The spatial distribution of the key species of seabirds is summarised in Table 5-4, based on the distribution presented in the North Sea Atlas /3/ and a three-year aerial seabird monitoring survey in 2006-2008 covering the GORM project /40/.

Table 5-4 Spatial distribution of key species /3//40/.

Species Spatial distribution and biology in the North Sea Red and black- The two species, which are sensitive to oil pollution due to their pursuit-diving throated diver behaviour and low fecundity rate, are non-breeding visitors to the North Sea. Their (Gavia stellata, sensitivity to oil pollution increases during October-November (Red-throated) and G. arctica) March-April (Black-throated) when the birds are undergoing moult of their flight feathers. In spring, the highest densities of red- and black-throated divers are found along the coast of Denmark, in the Wadden Sea and in the English Channel. In winter, the distribution is more restricted and the highest densities are found along the coast of Denmark and northern part of the shallow area off the Wadden Sea. Almost all birds are found in waters of riverine influence shallower than 35 m, and both species are rare (0 birds/km2) in the GORM project area /3/, with few observations during the aerial survey /40/. Northern fulmar The species is the most abundant seabird in the North Sea. In summer, relatively (Fulmarus glacialis) high densities of Northern fulmar are found at many locations throughout the North Sea with the peak densities located along the southern edge of the Norwegian Trench. In winter, the highest densities are found west of Norway and northwest of Jutland Bank. In the southern part of the North Sea Northern Fulmars are found in lower densities in winter than during summer. In the Southern Maersk Oil activity area, Northern Fulmar occurs at relatively high densities in spring, summer and autumn (up to 24 birds/km2 /40/ or up to 360 birds/km2 /3/), and is less abundant in winter (<2 birds/km2) /3//40/. Northern gannet Northern gannets are found in high densities east and north of the UK from spring to (Morus bassanus) autumn. In late summer-autumn high density areas are also found near the German and Dutch coasts. In winter, the northern gannet is patchily distributed and found at low to high densities throughout the North Sea. In the GORM project area, northern gannets occur mainly in low densities (< 1 birds/km2) in winter, spring and summer /3//40/, but relatively high densities (up to 23 birds/km2) were observed during autumn /40/. Great skua Great skua occurs in low densities from northeast of Greater Fisher Bank to the (Stercorarius skua) Norwegian Trench, north of the UK coast, and in few small isolated patches. Unlike in spring-summer, the great skua occurs over much of the North Sea during late summer-autumn. In the GORM project area, the species occurs mainly in low densities (0 birds/km2 /3/), with few observations during the aerial surveys /40/. Common gull The common gull is not observed over much of the North Sea, but with intermediate (Larus canus) to high densities along the eastern part of the North Sea (e.g. Wadden Sea, German Bight, Jutland Bank, and some isolated patches bordering the eastern UK coast). In the GORM area, the species is rare (0 birds/km2 /3/) . Lesser black-backed gull Lesser black-backed gulls are largely absent from much of the central and north- (Larus fuscus) western parts of the North Sea, and are concentrated mostly in the eastern parts of the North Sea. In the GORM project area, the species occurs mainly in low densities (0 birds/km2 /3/). Herring gull The herring gull occurs throughout most of the coastal areas in the eastern North (Larus argentatus) Sea, particularly around Norway and in Skagerrak. Relatively high densities are found in the German Bight, off the coast of the Netherlands, and in winter also in areas further offshore like areas around Dogger Bank: Both the distribution and the

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Species Spatial distribution and biology in the North Sea abundance of herring gulls seem mainly to be determined by working trawlers. The species is rare in the Maersk Oil activity areas (0 birds/km2 /3/). Great black-backed gull Like for the herring gull, the distribution and the abundance of great black-backed (Larus marinus) gull in the activity areas seems mainly to be determined by working trawlers. The species is common throughout the North Sea during winter, and the highest densities are found south and west of the Dogger Bank. In the GORM project area, the species is rare (0 birds/km2 /3/) . Black-legged Kittiwake In summer, the species is concentrated primarily in the western North Sea. Outside (Rissa tridactyla) the breeding season, the species occurs throughout the North Sea with widespread intermiate to high density areas. Most extensive concentrations are found along the southern edges of the Norwegian Trench, northwest of Dogger Bank, off Borkum and in the Channel. In the GORM project area, the species is found in intermiate density (3.5 – 10 birds/km2 /3//40/), and in spring and autumn large flocks are observed /40/. Sandwich tern The species is mainly distributed in coastal waters on both sides of the North Sea. In (Sterna sandvicensis) spring highest densities are found off the German coast and the Netherlands. In summer-autumn highest densities are shown off the British coast just north of the Wash. In the GORM area, the species is rare (0 birds/km2 /3/), and the few observations during the aerial surveys confirm the low densities /40/ Common tern The species is absent throughout most of the offshore parts of the North Sea. In (Sterna hirundo) spring highest densities are found off the northern German coast and the Netherlands. In late summer highest densities are found off the Danish coast and the Netherlands. In the GORM project area, the species is rare (0 birds/km2 /3/), and the few observations during the aerial surveys confirm the low densities /40/ Common guillemot The common guillemot is the second most abundant seabird in the North Sea. In (Uria aalge) early summer, high densities are found in the western parts, whereas the species is found in lower densities in other parts of the North Sea. In late summer, the species occurs in high densities in the central and eastern parts as they move across the North Sea to moulting areas south of the Norwegian Trench. The species is very sensitive to oil pollution due to its pursuit diving behaviour, and during August and September both the adults and the accompanying young are flightless, and hence highly sensitive to pollution. As seen for many other species of seabirds, the highest numbers in the activity areas seem to be associated with the areas of lowest water depth. In winter, the species occurs in high densities in the western part of the North Sea. In the Maersk Oil activity areas, the species occurs in low densities in early summer and found in intermiate densities in late summer. In winter, high densities of Common Guillemot are found to the southeast of the area. The highest density of 5 birds/km2 in the GORM area are found in March /3/. Razorbill In early and late summer, the razorbill is largely absent in most of the North Sea and (Alca torda) the birds are concentrated in its western part. Higher densities are observed in late- than in early-summer. The razorbill is largely absent in most of the northern and central North Sea in winter when most birds are found in the Skagerrak and Kattegat and off the coasts of the UK and NL. In the GORM project area, the species is found in densities of up to 2.5 birds/km2 Little auk The little auk is concentrated along the Norwegian Trench and NW of Dogger Bank (Alle alle) during winter, and the species occurs in rather low densities (<5 birds/km2 /3/) in the GORM project area.

The four species of gulls (common gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, great black-backed gull) are presented as rare (0 birds/km2) /3/. However, aerial surveys show frequent observations and density estimates for gulls range up to 11 gulls/km2, with the highest densities in autumn /40/.

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5.10.1 International Bird Areas (IBAs) Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are key sites for future conservation. A site is recognised as an IBA only if it meets certain criteria, based on the occurrence of key bird species that are vulnerable to global extinction or whose populations are otherwise irreplaceable. The Wadden Sea (in Dutch, German and Danish waters) and Skagerrak/Southwest Norwegian trench are both recognised as important areas for birds, more than 100 km from the GORM project. There are no IBAs in the central North Sea /34/.

5.11 Cultural heritage Cultural heritage in the North Sea includes submerged prehistoric sites that were once land, other coastal features such as early fish-traps, submerged structures from defending coast in the World Wars, and shipwrecks from all ages. Part of the floor of the North Sea is submerged land, and quite a number of villages in the Southern Bight have been submerged by the sea.

5.12 Protected areas Protected areas are shown in Figure 5-8. Protected areas include Natura 2000 sites, Ramsar sites, UNESCO world heritage sites and nationally designated areas.

Figure 5-8 Protected areas. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/.

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5.12.1 Natura 2000 sites The Natura 2000 network comprises:

 Habitats Directive Sites (Sites of Community Importance and Special Areas of Conservation) designated by Member States for the conservation of habitat types and animal and plant species listed in the Habitats Directive  Bird Directive Sites (Special Protection Areas) for the conservation of bird species listed in the Birds Directive as well as migratory birds

Natura 2000 sites have been designated in the central North Sea for Dogger Banke in UK, the Netherlands and Germany (Figure 5-8). The basis for designation is presented in section 10.

5.12.2 Ramsar sites Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, and are present in coastal areas of the North Sea. The Ramsar Convention requires Contracting Parties to ‘formulate and implement their planning so as to promote the conservation of the wetlands included in the List, and as far as possible the wise use of wetlands in their territory’ (article 3.1).

All Ramsar sites in the Danish sector of the North Sea are also designated Natura 2000 areas.

5.12.3 UNESCO world heritage sites The Wadden Sea in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands have been appointed UNESCO world heritage site (Figure 5-8).

The Wadden Sea is the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world. It is a large, temperate, relatively flat coastal wetland environment, formed by the intricate interactions between physical and biological factors that have given rise to a multitude of transitional habitats with tidal channels, sandy shoals, seagrass meadows, mussel beds, sandbars, mudflats, salt marshes, estuaries, beaches and dunes. The area provide a habitat for numerous plant and animal species.

5.12.4 Nationally designated areas In Denmark, the Wadden Sea is designated as a national park. In addition, several nature reserves (“natur- og vildtreservat”) have been appointed in Denmark along the west coast of Jutland, several inshore nature reserves (e.g. Nissum Fjord and Ringkøbing Fjord) (Figure 5-8).

5.13 Marine spatial use The GORM project is not in an area with important shipping routes for the largest ships equipped with automatic identification systems (Figure 5-9, < approximately 100 per year) /3/.

The infrastructure of oil and gas and wind includes both existing and planned installations. In the North Sea, a number of oil and gas facilities are operational, and additional facilities are planned. Operational wind farms are only present in Danish waters off Esbjerg, while a number of wind farms are planned in UK and German waters. Pipelines and cables connecting platforms are not shown in the figure, but should also be considered when planning new projects.

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Figure 5-9 Ship traffic and infrastructure in 2012. Figure redrawn from North Sea Atlas /3/. Ship traffic is based on all ships fitted with AIS system i.e. ships of more than 300 gross tonnage engaged on international voyages, and cargo ships of more than 500 gross tonnage not engaged on international voyages and all passengers ships irrespective of size. Missing data in the middle of the North Sea is due to poor AIS receiving coverage and not lack of ships. Germany does not participate in the North Sea AIS data sharing program.

Further spatial restrictions include military areas, dump sites and reclamation areas. Dump sites and reclamation areas are mainly located at a relatively short distance from the coast, and are not present in the central North Sea. Military uses constitute a small part of the sea-borne and coastal activities around the North Sea. There are extensive exercise areas, mainly in the United Kingdom, but also along the west coast of Jutland (Denmark).

5.14 Fishery Fishery is an important industry in the North Sea. The main targets of major commercial fisheries are cod, haddock, whiting, saithe, plaice, sole, mackerel, herring, Norway pout, sprat, sandeel, Norway lobster, and deep-water prawn. Norway pout, sprat and sandeel are predominantly the targets of industrial fisheries for fish meal and oil, while other species are the targets of fisheries for direct human consumption /10/.

A historic overview of production, trade, employment and fleet size for fishery in Denmark is provided in Table 5-5 /36/.

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Table 5-5 Historic overview of production, trade, employment and fleet for fishery in Denmark /36/.

1990 2000 2010 Production (thousand tonnes) Inland 36 37 23 Marine 1482 1541 840  Aquaculture 42 44 35  Capture 1476 1534 828 Total 1518 1578 863 Trade (USD million) Import 1116 1806 2958 Export 2166 2756 4140 Employment (thousands) Aquaculture 0 0.8 0.4 Capture 6.9 4.6 2.4 Total 6.9 5.4 2.9 Fleet (thousands) Total 3.8 4.1 2.8

Landings of sandeel, European plaice, herring, cod, sprat and Norway pout are presented in the North Sea Atlas /3/. The landings are presented for one year (2013), and show that the central North Sea, including the GORM project area, has some importance to the Danish fishery for sandeel. In addition, some fishery takes place in the central North Sea, in particular for cod, sprat and European plaice.

As inter-annual variation can be significant, fishery data for a period of ten years have been extracted from the Danish AgriFish Agency /37/. The data has been extracted for Danish vessels for area IVB, which covers an area of 280,000 km2 from the west coast of Jutland to the Eastern coast of the UK.

Estimated value for the landing from Danish vessels in the North Sea for the last ten years shows that the area IVB, where the GORM project is located, is important for the fishing industry (Table 5-6) /37/.

Table 5-6 Total landings and value of fishery, as landed catch for important commercial species in the central North Sea (area IVB) /37/.

Overall Species-species landed catch (tonnes) Total landed Total value Sandeel Cod Sprat European catch (DKK) plaice (tonnes) 2005 405,067 824,527,622 129,776 4,365 233,306 9,382 2006 376,174 894,837,171 239,144 3,556 97,208 9,721 2007 239,469 700,252,302 142,309 2,317 64,047 6,918 2008 320,488 696,990,031 231,321 2,596 62,680 6,854 2009 409,143 652,075,835 272,865 2,792 110,650 6,827 2010 344,744 858,381,192 250,676 3,359 68,827 7,837 2011 388,927 990,124,457 263,971 2,736 98,484 9,932 2012 160,556 746,792,906 47,439 2,547 70,907 9,557 2013 263,373 875,992,562 183,330 1,917 46,258 10,707 2014 328,063 855,349,857 147,963 2,712 135,366 9,551

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5.15 Tourism Tourism is a multi-disciplinary feature, and includes both traditional tourism such as hospitality as well as events within conferences, music and sports. Tourists in Denmark are primarily Danish and German, and to a minor negative extent tourists from Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands.

Based on recent report with 2012 data from VisitDenmark /38/, tourism creates 122,500 FTEE (full time employee equivalent), which corresponds to ~4 % of the total FTEE in Denmark. These jobs are typically within hospitality, transport and trade. Tourism creates a direct economic added value of 24 billion DKK.

Tourism is associated with land and the coast, and no tourism is present in the central North Sea.

5.16 Employment According to Statistics Denmark /39/, the largest employment sectors in 2013 are the public sector and trade/transport.

1 Agriculture, Employment per sector 2013 forestry and fishery 1 Agriculture, forestry and fishery 10 Culture etc 3 Constructions 2 Industry

2 Industry 3 Constructions

4 Trade and transport

5 Information and communication 9 Public sector 6 Finance and insurance

4 Trade and 7 Real estate and rental transport 8 Commerce

9 Public sector

8 Commerce 10 Culture etc 5 Information and 11 Unknown communication

Figure 5-10 Employment per sector in Denmark in 2013 /39/.

Oil and gas activities in the North Sea create a significant number of workplaces both on-and offshore /35/. The oil and gas sector employs approx. 15,000 persons in Denmark /53/. Of these, approx. 1,700 employees are directly employed at the oil companies. This means that when one employee is employed in the oil and gas companies, approx. 8 jobs are created in related industries. A large part of the indirect activities lies in e.g. the engineering consultancy and other consulting assistance. Employment in the sector ranges widely across types of job, but generally a high level of education is seen and approx. 60% of the jobs are located around Esbjerg.

There is no specific statistics available for the west coast of Jutland.

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5.17 Tax revenue Tax revenue and the profits made by the oil and gas sector have a positive impact on the danish economy. The state’s total revenue is estimated to range from DKK 20 to DKK 25 billion per year for the period from 2014 to 2018 /35/.

The sector’s impact in relation to taxes and dues are also substantial, as is the business sector, which by far contributes the largest share of taxes and dues. In 2010, the total contribution of direct taxes and dues was approx. DKK 24 billion /53/.

5.18 Oil and gas dependency Denmark has been supplied with gas from its North Sea fields since the 1980s and has also exported natural gas, primarily to Sweden and Germany. This production has significantly impacted the security of supply and balance of trade. Denmark is expected to continue being a net exporter of natural gas up to and including 2025 and Maersk Oil has a license to operate until 2042 /35/.

As part of a long-term Danish energy strategy, the oil and gas production is instrumental in maintaining high security of supply, at the same time as renewable energy represents an increasing share of the Danish energy mix /53/.

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6. IMPACT ASSESSMENT: PLANNED ACTIVITIES

6.1 Impact mechanisms and relevant receptors

6.1.1 Potential impact mechanisms Potential impact mechanisms associated with the planned activities at the GORM project are summarised based on the project description (section 3) and the technical sections (appendix 1).

Potential impact mechanisms include:

 Underwater noise  Physical disturbance on seabed  Suspended sediment  Discharges (physical and chemical)  Solid waste  Emissions  Light  Resource use  Restricted zones  Employment and tax revenue  Oil and gas dependency

The source of the potential impact mechanisms is provided in Table 6-1. The sources of impacts are related to the activities described in the seven technical sections (appendix 1).

Table 6-1 Sources of potential impact mechanisms for the GORM project. “X” marks relevance, while “0“ marks no relevance.

Potential impact mechanism

**

and

Sesimic Pipelines structures Production Drilling stimulation Well Transport Decommissioning

Underwater noise X X X X X X X Physical disturbance on seabed* X 0 0 X 0 0 X Suspended sediment* X 0 0 X 0 0 X Discharges X X X X X X X Solid waste X X X X X X X Emissions X X X X X X X Light X X X X X X X Presence/removal of of structures 0 X X 0 0 0 X Resource use X X X X X X X Restricted zones X X X X 0 0 X Employment and tax revenue X X X X X X X Oil and gas dependency X X X X X X X * the potentially disturbed area at GORM is very small (< 1 km2) and related only to seismic survey and placement of drilling rigs. ** no new pipelines or structures are planned, and impacts relate only to maintenance vessels.

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6.1.2 Relevant receptors (environmental and social) The relevant environmental and social receptors described in the baseline for the GORM project are listed below.

 Environmental receptors: Climate and air quality, hydrographic conditions, water quality, sediment type and quality, plankton, benthic communities (flora and fauna), fish, marine mammals, seabirds  Social receptors: Cultural heritage, protected areas, marine spatial use, fishery, tourism, employment, tax revenue, oil and gas dependency

The relevant receptors have been assessed based on the project description (section 3) and the potential impact mechanisms (section 6.1). Relevant receptors for the impact assessment are summarised in Table 6-2.

Table 6-2 Relevant receptors for the impact assessment of planned activities for the GORM project. “X” marks relevance, while “0“ marks no relevance.

Environmental Receptors Social Receptors

Potential

impact

mechanism

quality

– planned

activities

dependency

type and type

heritage

il and gas il and

Climate and air quality air and Climate condition Hydrographic quality Water Sediment Plankton communities Benthic Fish mammals Marine Seabirds Cultural areas Protected use spatial Marine Fishery Tourism Employment revenue Tax O

Underwater 0 0 0 0 X X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 noise Physical 0 0 0 X 0 X X 0 0 X 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 disturbance on seabed Suspended 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 sediment Discharges 0 0 X X X X X X X 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 Solid waste 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Emissions X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Light 0 0 0 0 X 0 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Presence/re 0 0 0 X 0 X X X 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 moval of of structures Resource 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 0 use Restricted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X X X 0 0 0 zones Employment 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X X 0 and tax revenue Oil and gas 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X dependency

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6.1.3 Marine strategy frameworks directive - descriptors The list of receptors and impact mechanisms described in the ESIS can be directly related to the descriptors set within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD; section 2.1.5). The MSFD outlines 11 descriptors used to assess the good environmental status of the marine environment. The environmental status of the Danish North Sea waters is described in details in /142/.

1. Biological diversity is maintained. The quality and occurrence of habitats and the distribution and abundance of species are in line with prevailing physiographic, geographic and climatic conditions. 2. Non-indigenous species introduced by human activities are at levels that do not adversely alter the ecosystems. 3. Populations of commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within safe biological limits, exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock. 4. All elements of the marine food webs, to the extent that they are known, occur at normal abundance and diversity and levels capable of ensuring the long-term abundance of the species and the retention of their full reproductive capacity. 5. Human-induced eutrophication is minimised, especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algal blooms and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters. 6. Sea-floor integrity is at a level that ensures that the structure and functions of the ecosystems are safeguarded and benthic ecosystems, in particular, are not adversely affected. 7. Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect marine ecosystems. 8. Concentrations of contaminants are at levels not giving rise to pollution effects. 9. Contaminants in fish and other seafood for human consumption do not exceed levels established by Community legislation or other relevant standards. 10. Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment. 11. Introduction of energy, including underwater noise, is at levels that do not adversely affect the marine environment.

The receptors identified in the ESIS are related to the MSFD status indicators hydrography (D7), fish, harbour porpoise and benthic communities (D1, D6). The impact mechanisms for planned activities in the ESIS are related to the MSFD pressure indicators seabed (D6), discharges (D6, D8, D9) and underwater noise (D11). Each impact mechanism is further assessed for the relevant receptors in the following sections 6.2 and 6.3.

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6.2 Assessment of potential environmental impacts Impact assessment for planned activities for each relevant environmental receptor is presented in the following sections.

6.2.1 Hydrography Impacts on hydrography relate to presence and removal of structures.

6.2.1.1 Presence and removal of structures The GORM project consist of a number of structures and pipelines in the central North Sea. Areas which were previously sand has been altered to contain a hard substrate in the water column, and .

No new structures or pipelines are planned for the GORM project. The existing structures will be removed as the GORM project is decommissioned. The impact of removing the existing structures to hydrography is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and of a short-term duration. The overall impact to hydrography from presence of structures is assessed to be of minor negative significance.

6.2.1.2 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on hydrogrpahy from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-6.

Table 6-3 Potential impacts on climate and air quality from planned activities at the GORM project.

Impact mechanism Intensity Extent Duration Overall Level of significance considence Presence/removal of Small Local Short- Positive Medium structures term

6.2.2 Climate and air quality Impacts on climate and air quality relate to emissions.

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6.2.2.1 Emissions Emissions have been estimated for the planned activities at the GORM project, and are presented in Table 6-4 for each of the activities.

Table 6-4 Overview of estimated emissions for planned activities at the GORM project, provided per activity or per year. The maximum emissions have been used. Estimates have been calculated by Ramboll based on input from Maersk Oil.”-“ refers to an emission which has not been quantified.

Activity Unit for which Emissions

(frequency) estimate is CO2 NOx N2O SO2 CH4 nmVOC provided (tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes) (duration)

Seismic 4D seismic Per survey 3,330 60 0.2 2 0.3 2.5 (Every 4 years) (~1 month) Site survey Per survey 40 0.7 0.003 0.02 0.003 0.03 (Every year) (1 week) Borehole seismic Per survey 11 0.2 0.001 0.007 0.001 0.01 (Every year) (2 days) Pipelines and structures None planned 0 0 0 0 0 0 Drilling Drilling Per well (7 new wells, 21 re- (<150 days) drill) 8,450 150 0.6 6 0.6 7 Well test, workover Not quantified ------Well stimulation Matrix acid well Per well 625 12 0.04 0.4 0.05 0.5 stimulation stimulation (2 per year) (2 weeks) Production Flaring, fuel, vent Per year 333,660 1181 2.2 6.7 380 135 Transport Vessels, helicopters Per year* 27.6 0.5 0.002 0.02 0.002 0.03 Decommissioning Well abandonment per well 1,125 20 0.08 0.8 0.08 0.9 (95 wells) (20 days) Cleaning and Total for Gorm, removal of Skjold, Rolf and structures Dagmar 56,180 1,045 4 35 4.3 43 * Note that the calculation for vessels and helicopters are assuming 20% for each of the five ESIS projects.

Emissions are primarily caused by flaring of gas, venting and the use of fossil fuels for production.

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Table 6-5 provides an overview of the estimated annual emissions from operation of the GORM project and the annual Danish emissions 2012, as well as total emissions during drilling and decommissioning.

Table 6-5 Emissions from activities at the GORM project and national emissions numbers for Denmark /20//21/. ”-“ refers to an emission which has not been quantified.

Emissions Annual Total annual Total emissions for drilling 28 Total emissions Danish emissions at wells at GORM for emissions GORM (tonnes) decommissioning 2012 (excluding 95 wells and (tonnes) drilling and existing ecommissioning) strcutures at (tonnes) GORM (tonnes)

CO2 39,412,000 340,000 236,000 165,000

N2O - 0.3 16 11

NOx 116,071 1270 4,250 2950

SOx 12,510 10 160 111

CH4 - 380 17 12 nmVOC - 140 196 130

6.2.2.2 CO2, N2O and CH4 emissions (climate change)

Greenhouse gases such as CO2, N2O, SOx and CH4 have a direct impact on climate and air quality.

The greenhouse gasses have different warming potential /126/, as some have a longer lifetime in

the atmosphere and a higher heat absortion than others. Per definition, CO2 has a global warming

potential (GWP) of 1, whereas the GWP is 21 of CH4 and 310 of N2O /126/. By re-calculating the

estimated emissions to a GWP, it is seen that CO2 constitutes the largest emission of greenhouse gasses.

Both drilling and decommisioning are emissions related to specific activities, while the annual emissions occur every year until 2042. The annual emissions will therefore over the project life cycle be of the largest quantity.

The annual emissions at the GORM project (excluding drilling and decommissioning) contributes

up to 0.85 % of the total annual CO2 emission for Denmark until 2042 (percentile will depend on the development of annual Danish emissions). The impact is considered an impact of small intensity, a transboundary extent and long-term duration. The impact on climate change from emissions at the GORM project is assessed to be of moderate negative overall significance.

6.2.2.3 NOx, SOx and nmVOC emissions (air pollution)

NOX and SOx are air pollutants which are spread by the wind and deposited in the surroundings. The compunds have acidification effects, that can impact the environment in terms of defoliation and reduced vitality of trees, and declining fish stocks in acid-sensitive lakes and rivers. nmVOCs, can have a number of damaging impacts on human health. Some have direct toxic effects (e.g. carcinogenic), but nmVOCs can also have indirect effects on health by contributing to the formation of ground-level ozone, which causes respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

Emissions of NOx from the GORM project production corresponds to 1 % and SOx corresponds 0.07 % of total annual emission in Denmark until 2042 (percentile will depend on the development of annual Danish emissions). The impact is considered an impact of small intensity, a transboundary extent and long-term duration. The impact on air pollution from emissions at the GORM project is assessed to be of moderate negative overall significance.

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6.2.2.4 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on climate and air quality from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-6.

Table 6-6 Potential impacts on climate and air quality from planned activities at the GORM project.

Impact mechanism Intensity Extent Duration Overall Level of significance considence

CO2, N2O, SOx and CH4 Small Transboundary Long- Moderate Medium emissions term negative (climate change)

NOx, SOx and nmVOC Small Transboundary Long- Moderate Medium emissions (Air pollution) term negative

6.2.3 Water quality Potential impacts on water quality (turbidity, chemical composition etc.) are related to chemical discharges during production, drilling, well stimulation and decommissioning.

6.2.3.1 Discharges Maersk Oil use chemicals in its operations, and is constantly examining the use and discharge of chemicals. Before any chemicals can be permitted for use and discharge offshore, an application must be submitted to the Danish authorities.

Maersk Oil discharges a number of chemicals. These chemials are primarly classified as OSPAR category ‘green’, which pose little or no risk to the environment, or ‘yellow’, which does not bioaccumulate and degrade relatively rapidly (section 8.1.3). The discharge of red chemicals is not expected, but may occur in a very limited amount. Red chemicals are only used if safety, technological and environmental considerations cannot be met by alternative products. Maersk Oil has been phasing out since 2008 the use of red chemicals which contains components that bioaccumulate or degrade slowly (section 8.1.3).

Chemicals use and discharge to sea is only permitted after authorisation from the DEPA.

Discharges during production During production at the GORM project, around 97 % of the produced water is reinjected. The remainder is discharged to sea. The forecast volume of discharge of produced water is shown in Figure 6-1.

Traces of production chemicals may be present in the produced water. The production chemicals are typically categorized as ‘green’ or ‘yellow’ chemicals, which can usually be discharged without significant impact to the environment (section 8.1.3). Under special circumstances, red chemicals may also be used. A list of production chemicals, their function and their partitioning in oil/water phase is presented in appendix 1. Maersk Oil has flowmeters measuring the volume of discharged produced water, and water samples are regularly obtained for analysis of oil and chemical content.

In addition to production chemicals, oil is expected to be present in the produced water. Based on Maersk Oil experience from previous years, the content of oil in produced water at the GORM project is expected to be on average 10 mg/l, while peak concentrations of up to 25 mg/l may occur. The expected amounts of oil and chemicals are provided in section 3.

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Figure 6-1 Forecast for discharged water (stb/day) at the GORM project. Based on experience from previous years, the content of oil is expected to be on average 10 mg/l, while maximum concentrations of up to 25 mg/l may occur.

Produced water may have toxic effects to the marine environment. Results from laboratory experiments suggest that the existing discharge of production water to be diluted from 10 to 10,000 times to reach a concentration where no acute toxic effects are expected . The toxicity of the water produced is determined , inter alia, the content of dispersed oil , BTEX , PAH and residues from chemicals used. Emissions of substances that are persistent or bioaccumulative , will in principle increase the general background level of the substance, but due to the relatively small amounts expected not to be measured in practice /1/.

Environmental impacts of produced water discharges are local, and in general confined to within 1-2 km from an outlet, and the risk of widespread impact from the operational discharges is low /46/. Hydrodynamic dispersion modelling of produced water at the GORM project suggest that the discharges are diluted rapidly. A conservative estimate of the risk of impact from the produced water discharge at the GORM project suggest that an impact to the environment may occur up to 6.6 km from the Gorm platform where the discharge occurs (based on the PEC/PNEC ratio of 1 where the expected concentration in the marine environment is the same as the concentration without expected effects of chemicals) /42/. The impact to water quality is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and of a short-term duration due to dilution. Overall, the impact to water quality from discharge of produced water at the GORM project on is assessed to be of minor negative overall significance.

During production other minor negative discharges take place, these include discharges from vessels, and cooling water from production platforms. These discharges are considered negligible in comparison with the produced water, and not assessed further.

Discharges during drilling There are currently 7 free well slots at the GORM project: 2 at Dagmar, and 5 at Rolf. Typically a well takes between 60 and 150 days to drill. Water-based mud and cuttings will be discharged to the sea, whereas oil-based mud and cuttings will be brought onshore to be dried and incinerated.

Cuttings from the formation collected in the water-based mud section of the well will be discharged to the sea, along with the drilling mud and material used for cementing (mostly cement and chemicals).

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Discharges of cuttings can amount to 1760 tons of cuttings per well (appendix 1).. When discharged to the sea water-based mud and cuttings, which are slurries of particles of different sizes and densities in water containing dissolved salts and organic chemicals, form a plume that dilutes rapidly as it drifts away from the discharge point with the prevailing water currents. Field studies of the concentration of suspended solids in plumes of drilling mud and cuttings at different distances from the drilling activityhave confirmed this pattern, concluding that the concentration of suspended drill cuttings and mud in the water column drops very quickly due to sedimentation and dilution of the material /45//46/. Discharges of drilling mud and cement per well are shown in Table 6-7. The discharges shown are based on the worst case - defined as the well that leads to the largest amount of discharges. Chemicals expected to be used are categorized as ‘green’ or ‘yellow’ chemicals, which can usually be discharged without significant impact to the environment.

Table 6-7 Use and discharge of drilling mud and cement per well – worst case discharge scenario. The classification colour code is explained above. Usage per well Discharge per well Classification Tons Tons 2421 2421 Drilling mud 994 994 631 76 Cement 14 1.7

Based on a review of results of modeling and field studies of drilling mud and cuttings it has been concluded, that offshore discharges of water-based mud and associated cuttings will have little or no harmful effects on water column organisms. This conclusion is based on the rapid dilution in the water column and low toxicity to marine organisms of water-based mud and cuttings /45/. Environmental impacts of drilling discharges are local, in general confined to within 1 - 2 km from the point of discharge /46/. The chemicals discharged to sea during Maersk Oil drilling have been modelled in the EIA for Adda and Tyra /2/. The modelling was performed for the water column and showed that the predicted effect concentration was extended up to 7 km downstream from the platform /2/.

The impact to water quality is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and of a short-term duration due to dilution. Overall, the impact to water quality from discharge of drilling mud and cuttings is assessed to be of minor negative overall significance.

Discharges during well stimulation The potential 7 new wells at the GORM project may be subjected to matrix acid stimulation or acid fracturing (no sand fracturing is expected). In addition to stimulation of the new wells, it is anticipated that approximately two well stimulations of existing wells may take place per year at the GORM project.

Expected disharges of chemicals during well stimulation at the GORM project include chemicals categorized as ‘green’ or ‘yellow’ chemicals which can usually be discharged without significant impact to the environment. Typical discharges during well stimulation are presented in Table 6-8.

Table 6-8 Use and discharge of chemicals per well stimulation. The classification colour code is explained above. Usage per well Discharge per well Classification Tons Tons

220 140 Matrix well stimulation 2603 522 194 134 Acid fracturing well stimulation 2816 564

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The amount of discharge per well stimulation (Table 6-8) is significantly less than discharges during drilling (Table 6-7). The impact to water quality is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and of a short-term duration due to dilution. Overall, the impact to water quality from discharges during well stimulation at the GORM project is assessed to be of minor negative overall significance.

Discharges during decommissioning Minor negative discharges are expected during decommissioning activities. In general, all structures (jacket and topside) will be cleaned, before transport to onshore. Waste will be brought onshore for disposal. The impact to water quality is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and of a short-term duration due to dilution. Overall, the impact to water quality from discharges during decommissioning at the GORM project on is assessed to be of minor negative overall significance.

6.2.3.2 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on water quality from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-9.

Table 6-9 Potential impacts on water quality from planned activities at the GORM project.

Impact Intensity Extent Duration Overall Level of mechanism significance confidence Discharges Small Local Short-term Minor negative High

Minor cumulative effects on the water quality between the various discharges cannot be ruled out, however due to the low toxity of the discharges and the rapid dilution rate any effect is estimated to be very local and short-term. A review of all discharges from the Norwegian offshore petroleum industry suggests that the environmental impacts of discharges are local, in general confined to few kilometres from the platforms /46/.

6.2.4 Sediment type and quality Potential impacts on the sediment type and quality are related to physical disturbance on the seabed and discharges settling on the seabed that may affect its chemical and physical composition.

6.2.4.1 Physical disturbance on the seabed Physical disturbance on the seabed happens during site surveys, 4D seismic, drilling and decommissioning.

During site surveys, which are expected to occur annually, seabed coring will be undertaken and disturbance of seabed will occur where the sample is acquired, typically with an area of 0.1-0.25 m2. During 4D seismic surveys, presence of bottom nodes and cables may impact the seabed. The area of such nodes and cables is expected to be minor negative (each node 40-50 cm). During drilling (up to 7 wells), a drilling rig will be present at Rolf and Dagmar. The rig legs will be placed on the seabed, and are expected to sink 1 – 2 m into the seabed. The rig legs typically covers a few hundred m2. During decommissioning, physical disturbance will be related to removal of the existing structures.

Disturbance to small areas of sandy sediments is expected to be short term, as sand will naturally re-establish in the disturbed areas as a consequence of natural processes. The impact to sediment type and quality is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and of a short-term duration. The impact to sediment type and quality from physical disturbance is therefore assessed to be of minor negative overall significance.

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6.2.4.2 Discharges during drilling Water-based drilling mud and drill cuttings are expected to be discharged to sea from up to seven wells at Rolf and Dagmar, and the cuttings and associated chemicals may settle on the seabed and impact the sediment quality.

Several field studies that have measured the concentration of suspended solids in plumes of drilling mud and cuttings at different distances from the drill rigs have confirmed this pattern. The measurements have shown that the concentration of suspended drill cuttings and mud in the water column drops very quickly due to sedimentation and dilution of the material /45//46/.

Modelling of drilling mud and cuttings sedimentation for a typical Maersk Oil well shows that drilling mud will settle on the seabed at a thickness of less than 1 mm. Most of the drilling mud will settle in vicinity of the discharge location (1 - 2 km), depending on the current (Figure 6-2). Drill cuttings are heavier than the drilling mud and will sediment rapidly. Model data shows that for a similar well discharge, a 50 mm-layer of cuttings could be expected within 50 m of the well. The thickness of the layer is expected to decrease to <1 mm within 200 m of the discharge (Figure 6-3).

Figure 6-2 Sedimentation of discharged water based drilling mud modelled for a typical well /1/.

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Figure 6-3 Sedimentation of water based drill cuttings modelled for a typical well /1/.

Worst case scenario discharges from drilling of one well is approximately 1800 tons of cuttings and approximately 3500 tons of water based drill mud and cement. If all 7 well slots at the GORM project are being exploited it would result in a total discharge of 12,600 tons of cuttings and 24,500 tons of water based drill mud. The worst case scenario is estimated to be the case where the wells are drilled consecutively. However, it shall be noted that the wells are located at two different locations, Rolf and Dagmar.

The chemicals which are discharged with the mud and cuttings are categorized as ‘green’ or ‘yellow’ chemicals which can normally be discharged without significant effects on the environment (section 6.2.3). The mud usually contains barite or trace of heavy metals, while the cuttings may contain small quantities of oil. Chemical and biological seabed monitoring around Gorm shows that elevated concentrations of metals, THC, etc in the sediment are local, with elevated concentrations of barite up to 2 km of the platform /6/.

Sedimentation of drilling mud and cuttings may change the sediment grain size. However, seabed monitoring show that the median grain size variation close to the Gorm platform fall within the natural range /6/.

The water based drilling mud may contain biodegradable organic additives, which may stimulate growth of microbial communities leading to depletion of oxygen in the sediments. Anaerobic, sulphate-reducing bacteria may further degrade the organic matter, producing hydrogen sulphide /45/. A monitoring campaign of the seabed around the Gorm platform reported that sulphide small was present, but in no specific pattern in relation to the platform /6/.

Based on the modelling results, the type of chemicals in the drilling mud and cuttings and the results from the monitoring campaign, the impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and of a long-term duration. In conclusion, the impact to sediment type and quality from discharges is assessed to be of minor negative overall significance.

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6.2.4.3 Presence/removal of structures Existing pipelines and structures (topsides, jacket) are present in the area. Areas which were previously sand has been altered to contain a hard substrate in the water column. No new structures or pipelines are planned for the GORM project. The existing structures will be removed as the GORM project is decommissioned.

The impact to sediment type and quality is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and of a short-term duration. The impact to sediment type and quality from presence of structures is assessed to be of minor negative overall significance.

6.2.4.4 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on sediment type and quality from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-10.

Table 6-10 Potential impacts on sediment type and quality from planned activities at the GORM project.

Overall Potential impact Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of significance mechanism impact impact impact confidence of impact Physical disturbance Small Local Short -term Minor negative Medium on seabed Discharges of drill Small Local Long-term Minor negative High cuttings Presence/removal of Small Local Short-term Minor negative High structures

Minor cumulative effects between discharges during drilling and discharges from well stimulation can occur at Rolf and Dagmar, however they are estimated to be very local and short-term. It is not possible to predict where the acid stimulation in the existing well will be carried simultaneously. Marine growth is found on the platform legs at all Maersk Oil installations indicating livable conditions.

6.2.5 Plankton Potential impacts on plankton (phyto- and zooplankton) are related to underwater noise, discharges and light.

6.2.5.1 Underwater noise Underwater noise is a form of energy which may impact plankton, due to e.g. disruption of cells (cell lysis). Underwater noise at the GORM project will be generated from expected seismic activities (airguns, multibeam and sidescan), driving of conductors, drilling and various vessels. Table 6-11 shows typical frequency and noise levels for these activities.

Little research has been conducted in relation to impacts of underwater noise to plankton from underwater noise, primarily focussed on emitted energy from airguns during seismic surveys. Mortality of plankton has been observed at close range (within 5 m) of the source of the seismic gun /54//55/. Behavioural and physiological effects are only expected to impact organisms close to (within a few metres) powerful noise sources e.g. seismic surveys and driving of conductor /64/ /65/. A study found that close range seismic sound emission (2 m range) on snow crab eggs had impacts on larval development and settlement /66/.

Based on the abundance, productivity and size of planktonic populations and their high reproductive rate, plankton is expected to recover after disturbance. The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The impact on plankton from underwater noise is assessed to be of negligible negative overall significance.

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Table 6-11 Typical frequency and noise levels of activities at the GORM project (based on appendix 1, /2//48/). n/a is not available.

Activity Frequency Unit Noise level at increasing distance from source 1m 1-500 m 3 km 5 km 10 km Seismic Airgun 0.005-0.200 Peak-to-peak 244 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. (2D/3D/4D kHz (dB re 1µPa2) seismic) 0.005-80 RMS 179-266 n.a. 167 129 n.a. kHz (dB re 1µPa2) SEL 202-216 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. (dB re 1µPa2) Multibeam 70-100 kHz RMS 225-232 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. echosounder (dB re 1µPa2) Sidescan sonar 100-900 kHz RMS 220-226 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. (dB re 1µPa2) Pipelines and structures None planned n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a Production Production 0.01-10 kHz RMS 162 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. platform (dB re 1µPa2) Drilling and well stimulation Driving of 0.03-20 kHz Not specified 228 179.5 n.a. n.a. n.a. conductors (dB re 1µPa2) Drilling rig 0.002-1.2 Not specified 163 123 n.a. n.a. 77 kHz (dB re 1µPa2) Transport Support vessel 0.01-20 kHz RMS 122-192 120 n.a. n.a. n.a. (dB re 1µPa2) Decommisioning* Not available n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a *Noise levels for decommissioning are not provided, as activities are not specified for the GORM project. It is anticipated that no blasting will occur.

6.2.5.2 Discharges Potential impacts on plankton from discharges are indirectly related to the impacts of different activities on the water quality, which are described in section 6.2.3.

Studies show that discharges of water based drilling chemicals may have short-term effects on phyto- and zooplankton communities /45//46//58/. The discharges of chemicals associated with production, drilling and stimulation may affect the phyto- and zooplankton communities. In general, it is expected that offshore discharges dilute rapidly and that only that plankton found in the water column close to the discharge will be affected. Laboratory and field data confirms that the risk of significant biological impact is limited to 1 – 2 km from the discharges /46/ (see also 6.2.2). The effect of chemical discharges is expected to be minor negative, local and acute/non- persistent; therefore, the overall effect is assessed to be of minor negative significance.

6.2.5.3 Light Vertical migration in the water column by some phytoplankton and zooplankton species may be influenced by light.

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Light has been reported as a fundamental factor controlling the daily vertical migration of zooplankton /60/. Plankton migrate closer to the surface on dark nights than they do on clear, moonlit nights /62/. Some species of plankton have been reported foraging in darkness to avoid predation, only to be intensively predated when illuminated by a rising full moon /63/. However, planktonic organismes are per definition carried around with the prevailing currents, and light is expected to be detectable for planktonic organism only in the vicinity of the platforms.

The potential affects are expected to be local, and may impact individuals but will not impact plankton populations in the North Sea. The impact on plankton from light at the GORM project is assessed to have negligible negative overall significance.

6.2.5.4 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on plankton from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-12.

Table 6-12 Potential impacts on plankton from planned activities at the GORM project.

Overall Potential impact Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of significance of mechanism impact impact impact confidence impact Underwater Small Local Short-term Negligible Medium noise negative Discharges Small Local Short-term Minor negative Medium Light Small Local Immediate Negligible Low negative

The cumulative impact to plankton is not well known. However, little geographical overlap is between various impacts is expected (section 6.2.3 and 6.2.3). Due to the high reproductive capacity of plankton it is expected that any cumulative impacts will be negligible negative.

6.2.6 Benthic communities Potential impacts on the benthic community are related to underwater noise, physical disturbance on seabed and discharges.

6.2.6.1 Underwater noise Underwater noise may potentially impact benthic communities through e.g. behavioural and physiological effects.

Most invertebrates typically do not have delicate organs or tissues whose acoustic impedance is significantly different from water. Unlike e.g. fish with swim bladders, the general consensus regarding underwater noise effects on invertebrates and planktonic larvae under field conditions, is, that very few behavioral or physiological effects are expected unless the organisms are within a few metres of noise sources around 240 dB re 1 μPa /61/.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The impact on benthic communities from underwater noise is assessed to be of negligible negative overall significance.

6.2.6.2 Physical disturbance on seabed Physical disturbance on the seabed may physically impact the benthic fauna in the disturbed area.

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At the GORM project, the disturbed area is small (mostly related to cables from seismic surveys and legs from a drilling rig). In the disturbed area, benthic fauna will be displaced. Re- establishment will depend on the species present and their life cycle. Studies from the North Sea shows that benthic faunal communities on a sandy seabed generally re-establish during a period of 2-3 years /67/. The intensity of the impact from physical disturbance on the seabed is assessed to be small with a local extent and of short-term duration. Overall, the impact is assessed to be negligible negative.

6.2.6.3 Discharges Potential impacts on the benthic communities are related to discharges which can lead to changes in water (section 6.2.3) and sediment quality (section 6.2.4).

Studies show that the effects of drilling discharges on the benthic fauna communities are minor and nearly always restricted to a zone within about 100 meter of the discharge of water based drilling mud and cuttings /45//46/. There is no evidence of ecologically significant bioaccumulation of metals or petroleum hydrocarbons by benthic fauna residing or deployed in cages near water based drilling mud and cuttings discharges. The lack of bioaccumulation or toxicity of drilling waste components indicates that effects of water based drilling mud cuttings piles are highly localized and will not be exported to the local food web /45//46/. Monitoring at Gorm show some effect to benthic fauna within a distance of 750 meters from the platform /6/.

Sedimentation of water based drilling mud and cuttings on the seabed may bury some of the sessile benthic fauna. Changes in the sediment grain size and texture may render the sediment unsuitable for settling and growth of some species, while rendering the substrate more suitable for other, opportunistic species. Organic enrichment can cause changes in the abundance, species composition, and diversity of the benthic community /45/. Grain size in the GORM project area is considered normal, and no signs of organic enrichment has been observed (section 6.2.4). Discharges of water based drilling mud and cuttings in the water column will shortly increase turbidity and then settle on the seabed. Discharges have been determined to cause impacts at concentrations above 0.5 mg/l, typically restricted to a radius of less than 1 km from the discharge point /46/. Marine benthic invertebrates generally have poor if any visual ability and are unlikely to be adversely affected by suspended matter. However, smothering by settling sedimenthas direct mechanical effects on epifauna and infauna and may result in the modification of the substratum. Sediment may directly clog the feeding or respiratory apparatuses of suspension feeders. The impact level depends on the grain-size distribution of the settled sediments and on species-specific tolerances to increased rates of sedimentation and accumulation. Water based drilling mud and cuttings have been found to affect the benthos at a thickness of at least 3 mm or more. Such layer thicknesses will normally be confined to a distance of 100-500 m /46/. Mud and cuttings for a Maersk Oil well has been modelled to settle at a thickness of above 1 mm only within 200 m of the discharge (section 6.2.4).

The risk of widespread, long term impact from the operational discharges on benthic populations is presently considered low /46/. A monitoring campaign of the seabed around the Gorm platform shows that measurable impacts on the benthic community are limited to the vicinity (750 m) of the discharge point, but likely with a long-term duration /6/.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and long-term duration. The impact on benthic communities from discharges is assessed to be of minor negative overall significance.

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6.2.6.4 Presence/removal of structures The presence of hard substrates in the water column provide a surface that can be colonised by species that are not normally present in soft sediment environments. Structure and pipeline inspection surveys of the area show that no macrophytes are found on the seafloor and that marine growth (e.g. sea anemones, seaweed, soft corals, sea squirts and sponges) is found on the existing structures in the top 15-20 m.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and long-term duration. The impact on benthic communities from presence of structures is assessed to be of minor overall significance. Whether the impact is negative or positive is expected to be species species

6.2.6.5 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on benthic communities from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-13.

Table 6-13 Potential impacts on the benthic comunities from planned activities at the GORM project.

Overall Potential impact Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of significance of mechanism impact impact impact confidence impact Underwater noise Small Local Short-term Negligible Low negative Physical Small Local Short-term Negligible High disturbance on negative seabed Discharges Small Local Long-term Minor negative High Presence/removal Small Local Long-term Minor High of structures negative/positive

The cumulative impact to benthic communities is not well known. However, little geographical overlap is expected (section 6.2.3 and 6.2.3), and it is expected that cumulative impacts will be minor negative.

6.2.7 Fish Potential impacts on fish are related to underwater noise, physical disturbance on seabed, discharges, light and physical presence of structures.

Note that impacts to fish eggs and larvae are assessed as part of plankton in section 6.2.5.

6.2.7.1 Underwater noise The extent to which underwater noise may impact on fish is dependent upon a number of factors including the level of noise produced at the source, the frequencies at which the sound is produced, the rate at which sound attenuates (which will vary for different frequencies and environmental conditions), the sensitivities of different species and individuals to different volumes and frequencies of noise. Noise can affect fish in several ways, including:

 Damage to non-auditory tissue  Damage to auditory tissues (generally sensory hair cells of the ear)  Hearing loss due to temporary threshold shift  Masking of communication  Behavioural effects (e.g. avoidance)

Fish behaviour in response to noise is not well understood. Sound pressure levels that may deter some species, may attract others. The fish may also freeze and stay in place, leaving it exposed to considerable damages. When the fish swims away, the effects could be minimal or substantial.

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It may lead to a fish swimming away from an important feeding ground, which is a considerable change in behaviour. The fish might also swim away from an area where it would generally reproduce. If feeding and reproduction continues to be impeded, this could lead to long term effects /47/.

There are several sources of noise emitting from the planned activities (including drilling activities, vessels and seismic surveys).

Underwater noise from seismic Noise emitted during seismic survey can have an impact either directly through harmful physiological effects or behavioral effects. The physiological effects will mainly affect younger life stages of fish such as eggs, larvae and fry /76/. These are stages in fish development where the organisms have limited ability to escape. Some injuries do not directly cause lethal conditions, but can indirectly lead to the same fatal conditions via reduced ability to assimilate food, or a change in swimming capacity which makes them more vulnerable in relation to predatory fish. The results of a Norwegian study regarding the influence of air gun shooting on the early life stages of five species of fish showed an increased mortality rate for fish eggs out to approximately 5 meters distance from the air guns /78/.

Behaviour of herring schools exposed to 3D seismic survey was observed. No changes were observed in swimming speed, swimming direction, or school size that could be attributed to the transmitting seismic vessel as it approached from a distance of 27 to 2 km, over a 6 h period /81/. The unexpected lack of a response to the seismic survey was interpreted as a combination of a strong motivation for feeding, a lack of suddenness of the air gun stimulus, and an increased level of habituation to the seismic shooting.

Some findings also indicated harmful effects on the sensory cells of adult fish /78/. The fish were kept in cages and the seismic vessel passed the cages along course lines running from 400-800 m distanco at the beginning and up to 5-15 m from the cages. Since the experimental fish were so close to the air guns, one could discuss whether these types of injuries are representative for adult, free-swimming fish.

Another issue is potential disturbances that fish may be exposed to in spawning areas and during migration to the spawning grounds. This can change the areas that are used for spawning, and possibly the timing of the spawning, so that spawning conditions become less favorable. It must also be emphasised that effects must be interpreted in the light of the fact that they will be unique for each species, and that the vulnerability and effect of external stimuli depend on the life stage.

Seismic airguns may affect the behaviour of fish in the area close to the seismic vessel. However it will not lead to long term changes to the size of fish stocks in general /82/. Research has shown that injuries and increased mortality can occur at distances less than 5 m from the air guns, with fish in the early stages of life being most vulnerable. The seismic-created mortality is so low that it is not considered to have any significant negative impact on fish populations /84/.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The impact on fish from underwater noise from seismic is assessed to be of negligible negative overall significance.

Underwater noise from other activities The sound generated from other activities expected at the GORM project will be lower than for a typical seismic survey. Field studies have shown that some species may be disturbed by noise from passing ships, while others are not affected. It is thus shown that species such as cod and haddock, which often occurs in large schools around offshore platforms, do not respond to noise

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from passing vessels. Other species tend to move away from a passing vessel. Reaction range varies from 100 - 200 m for many typical vessels but 400 m for noisy ones /72/. The fact that the drilling rigs and offshore platforms attract fish indicates that the noise from drilling, etc. generally does not affect fish /73//74//75//76/. Observations from the platform and underwater inspections at the Gorm platform also confirm the presence of fish schools. The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The overall impact on fish from underwater noise from other activities is assessed to be of negligible negative significance.

6.2.7.2 Physical disturbance on seabed Potential impact to fish caused by physical could be disturbance of demersal fish eggs or habitat fragmentation caused by changes to the seabed sediment.

The physical disturbance on seabed is limited to sediment sampling and disturbance of the seabed by cables during 4D seismic surveys and legs from drilling rigs, and thus with a very small area. It is estimated that natural processes such as storms and currents will restore the physical appearance of the seabed to its original (pre-impact) state within a few years or less.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The overall impact on fish from physical disturbance is assessed to be of negligible negative significance.

6.2.7.3 Discharges Potential impacts on fish from disharges are related to a number of discharges, which may change the water quality (section 6.2.3).

Modelling of discharges shows that impacts on sensitive fish species can occur up to a distance of 7 km downstream from the platform (section 6.2.3). However, a recent review of environmental impacts of produced water and drilling waste discharges from the Norwegian offshore petroleum industry suggests that the effects of discharges are local, and in general confined to within 1-2 km from an outlet both in the waters and on the seabed, and that the risk of widespread impact from the operational discharges is low /46/.

Studies have showed that compounds present in produced water have a potential to exert endocrine effects in fish. The experimental exposure levels studied cover a range of produced water concentrations that are typically found in close proximity to the discharge points. They might therefore elicit effects on fish standing close to platforms. However, it is concluded that widespread and long lasting effects of produced water on the population level in fish are unlikely /46/.

Modelling results shows that drilling mud generally settles on the seabed within a distance of 12 km downstream of the discharge point, with the majority settling within a few km. Drill cuttings settle within a distance of 200 m (section 6.2.4). Several field studies that have measured the concentration of suspended solids in plumes of drilling mud and cuttings at different distances from the drill rigs have confirmed this pattern. The measurements have shown that the concentration of suspended drill cuttings and mud in the water column drops very quickly due to sedimentation and dilution of the material /45//46/. A monitoring campaign of the seabed around the Gorm platform shows that measurable impacts on the seabed sediment are limited to the vicinity (750 m) of the discharge point /6/, and any impacts on fish are considered to fall within this range.

Based on the modelling results the type of chemicals discharged the intensity of the impact from discharges is assessed to be small with a local extent and of a medium-term duration. Overall, the impact is assessed to be of minor negative significance.

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6.2.7.4 Light Though saftely lights are present at all platforms and vessels only manned platforms are illuminated. Platforms may be providing an enhanced foraging environment for larval, juvenile and adult fishes by providing sufficient light to locate and capture prey, as well as by concentrating positively phototaxic prey taxa. For juvenile fish there is probably a trade-off between living and foraging in an artificially illuminated nocturnal environment. The increased illumination likely allows them to feed on zooplankton that have concentrated within the light field near the surface; however, the same light may make them more vulnerable to predators.

The potential disturbance to fish of light emissions from rigs, platforms and vessels is expected to be local, extending 90-100 m from the source /83/. As such, any impacts on fish arising from light emissions are considered to be minor and localised to a small proportion of the population. The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The overall impact on fish from light at the GORM project is assessed to be of negligible negative significance.

6.2.7.5 Presence/removal of structures The introduction of a hard substrate into the water column, provide a surface that can be colonised by species that are not normally present in soft sediment environments. Structure and pipeline inspection surveys of the area show that no macrophytes are found on the seafloor and that marine growth (e.g. sea anemones, seaweed, soft corals, sea squirts and sponges) is found on the existing structures in the top 15-20 m.

It is expected that the artificial reef will attract certain species of fish to find hiding places and food in hard bottom areas /133/. Reef fish such as e.g. goldsinny wrasse, corkwing wrasse and lumpsucker will especially profit from the new habitat. The fish are attracted to the boulders with their variety of habitats which creates a wealth of hiding places where e.g. small fish and fry can hide from predators. But also cod and whiting are attracted by the often larger food supply of- fered by heterogeneous structures such as boulder reefs/134/. Pelagic species are not expected to be affected by the physical presence of the struktures.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The overall impact on fish from presence and removal of structures is assessed to be of negligible negative or positive significance. Whether the impact is negative or positive will be species species.

6.2.7.6 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on fish from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-14.

Table 6-14 Potential impacts on fish from planned activities at the GORM project. Note that impacts to fish eggs and larvae are assessed as part of plankton in section 6.2.4.

Overall Potential impact Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of significance of mechanism impact impact impact confidence impact Underwater noise Small Local Short-term Negligible Low negative Physical disturbance Small Local Short-term Negligible Low on seabed negative Discharges Small Local Medium-term Minor negative High Light Small Local Short-term Negligible Low negative Presence/removal of Small Local Short-term Negligible High structures negative/Positive

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The cumulative impact to fish is not well known. However, little geographical overlap is expected (section 6.2.3 and 6.2.3), and it is expected that cumulative impacts will be minor negative.

6.2.8 Marine mammals Potential impacts on marine mammals are related to underwater noise, physical disturbance, discharges, lights and presence of vessels and platforms.

All species of whales are listed in the habitats directive appendix IV, and special protective measures apply regarding deliberate capture or killing of individuals of these species in the wild; and deterioration or destruction of breeding sites or resting places. The GORM project area is not a known breeding site for whales, and no deliberate capture or killing is foreseen.

6.2.8.1 Marine mammals and underwater noise Hearing is the primary sense for many marine mammals for detecting prey, predators, communication and navigation in the environment. There is no conclusive evidence of a link between underwater noise and the mortality of any marine mammals /130/, but underwater noise introduced into the environment has the potential to impact marine mammals.

Marine mammals are usually defined per functional hearing groups, based on their auditory bandwidth /41/. The hearing groups and auditory bandwidth of mammals in the North Sea are shown in Table 6-15.

Table 6-15 Functional hearing groups and auditory bandwidth for typical species found at the GORM project /41/. Species in the North Sea Functional hearing group Auditory bandwidth

Seals (pinnipeds) Grey seal, harbour seal Pinnipeds in water 75 Hz to 22 kHz Whales (cetaceans) Harbour porpoise High frequency 200 Hz to 180 kHz White beaked dolphin Mid-frequency 150 Hz to 160 kHz Minke whale Low-frequency 7 Hz to 22 kHz

The effect of underwater noise on marine mammals can generally be divided into four broad categories that largely depend on the individual’s proximity to the sound source: Detection, masking, behavioural changes and physical damages /41/. The limits of each zone of impact are not distinct, and there is a large overlap between the zones.

 Detection is where the animals can hear the noise. Detection ranges depend on background noise levels as well as species specific audible threshold profiles.  Masking is where the noise conceals other sounds, e.g. communication between individuals. The impact to e.g. communication is not well understood  Behavioural changes are difficult to evaluate. They range from very strong reactions, such as avoidance, to more moderate negative reactions where the animal may orient itself towards the sound or move slowly away. However, the animals’ reaction may vary greatly depending on season, behavioural state, age, sex, as well as the intensity, frequency and time structure of the sound causing behavioural changes /41/.  Physical damage to marine mammals relate to damage to the hearing apparatus. Physical damages to the hearing apparatus may lead to permanent changes in the animals’ detection threshold (permanent threshold shift, PTS). This can be caused by the destruction of sensory cells in the inner ear, or by metabolic exhaustion of sensory cells, support cells or even auditory nerve cells. Hearing loss can also be temporary (temporary threshold shift, TTS) where the animal will regain its original detection abilities after a recovery period. For PTS

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and TTS the sound intensity and profile is an important factor for the degree of hearing loss, as is the frequency, the exposure duration, and the length of the recovery time /41/.

In connection with the development of offshore wind in Denmark, an expert working group for marine mammals and underwater noise have recommended thresholds for permanent hearing loss (PTS), temporary hearing loss (TTS) as well as behavioural changes for seals and harbour porpoise in Danish waters /123/. Threshold values are shown in Table 6-16. Threshold values for inflicting impact have been determined from an assessment of available data from the scientific literature, based on laboratory studies of animals. The working group was not able to recommend a threshold value for behavioural effects on seal, as there is very limited evidence on how and when seals react to underwater noise.

Table 6-16 Threshold values for permanent threshold shift (PTS), temporary threshold shift (TTS) and behavioural effects as recommended by a Danish expert working group /123/. All levels are unweighted SEL.

Species Behavioural response TTS PTS (dB re 1 µPa SEL) (dB re 1 µPa SEL cum) (dB re 1 µPa SEL cum) Grey seal and harbour - 176 200 seal Harbour porpoise 140 (single strike) ≥164 ≥183

A recent review /127/ concluded that very few data are available for assessment of impact on other species relevant for Danish waters, primarily white-beaked dolphin and minke whale. Until further data are available, TTS thresholds from bottlenose dolphins are the best available data. These studies have shown TTS induced at sound exposure levels in the range 190-210 dB re 1 µPa2s, depending on stimulus frequency and duration. No firm data is available to base recommendations regarding behavioural reactions for both species.

6.2.8.2 Underwater noise from seismic The planned seismic data acquisition in over the Gorm area includes a 4D seismic with airguns (an area of a few hundred km2, with a duration of a few months), borehole seismic surveys with airguns (with a duration of some days) and shallow geophysical surveys with small airguns and electrically generated sources, side scan sonar, single and multi-beam echo sounder (typical area of 1 km2, with a duration of around 1 week). Typical noise levels and frequencies for the planned activities at GORM are presented in Table 6-11 (section 6.2.5).

The underwater noise levels generated during seismic activities at the GORM project can potentially be above the threshold values established for PTS, TTS and behavioural impacts. The largest noise levels are generated by the sources used for 3D, 4D and other marine seimcis surveys.

An impact assessment was undertaken for a similar 4D marine seismic survey in the area /129/. This concluded that:

 The probability of the survey vessel encountering any marine mammals and other marine species is small.  Impacts on the marine species, if any, will take place at or within 30 metres from the airgun. It was assessed that no marine animals would be exposed to sound levels which could cause PTS, and that only TTS and behavioural impacts would occur.

For the GORM project, the extent of the impact will depend on the final set-up for the seismic survey. The 2012 impact assessment concluded that the effects of a seismic survey was local. As the source level is higher, the potential area where PTS, TTS or behavioural impacts may occur is assessed to be larger. A study of harbour porpoise during a 2D seismic survey in the Moray Firth found that animals showed behavioural response within 5-10 km /136/, while an assessment in

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the central North Sea found behavioural response to a distance of 20 km /2/. Overall, the impacts on marine mammals may be local (PTS, TTS) or regional (behavioural).

Both PTS, TTS and behavioural impacts are considered of small intensity as there will be partial impacts on individuals within the affected area. The GORM project area is not of particular importance to harbour porpoise, and few individuals are observed, and it is assessed that the marine mammal populations in the North Sea will not decline significantly due to seismic activities at the GORM project.

Permanent threshold shift (PTS) is considered a potential impact with a long-term duration as the impact is permanent to the affected individuals, and will persist. Temporary threshold shift (TTS) and behavioural impacts are generally considered potential impacts with a short-term duration, as the impact is not permanent. A study of harbour porpoise during a 2D seismic survey in the Moray Firth found that animals showed behavioural response, and were typically detected again within a few hours. Habituation to the underwater noise was also observed /136/. Overall, the potential impacts of seismic activities to marine mammals are considered of medium-term (TTS and behavioral) to long-term (PTS) duration.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local or regional extent and medium or long-term duration. The overall impact on marine mammals from underwater noise from seismic is assessed to be of moderate negative significance.

If mitigating measures (section 8.1) are implemented, the impact to marine mammals from seismic surveys can be alleviated.

6.2.8.3 Underwater noise from drilling The planned drilling activities include are associated with drilling of 7 wells. Underwater noise is primarily associated with ramming of conductors, with a duration approximately 6-8 hours.

The impact assessment for drilling activities at the GORM project is largely based on /125/, where underwater sound monitoring was estabilished for background levels, drilling operations and conductor ramming. Based on the monitoring results, potential impacts on marine mammals were assessed:

 Underwater drilling sound: The underwater noise from the drilling rig were masked by background sound within 500 -1000 meters from the rig. It was concluded that no harmful effects (threshold shifts or behavioural response) on marine mammals could be expected.  Ramming of conductors: The noise levels where there is a risk of causing hearing damage to marine mammals is restricted to an area very close to the drilling rig or circumstances of prolonged exposure to continuous sounds, which is very unlikely. However, behavioural effects are most likely to be found within a few kilometres from the rig, and permanent exclusions are not expected.

For drilling and ramming of conductors, the extent of the impact is expected to be local /125/, of small intensity and with a short-term duration. Based on this above, the overall significance of impact caused by noise from drilling activities is assessed to be minor negative.

6.2.8.4 Underwater noise from production, vessels and associated activities Noise will also be present from production and associated activities, and from vessels in the area, with typical noise levels and frequencies presented in in Table 6-11 (section 6.2.5). Vessels such as barges and supply ships produce noise with energy content primarily below 1 kHz, as do the rigs and platforms. The marine mammals in the area (harbour porpoise, mid-frequency cetaceans, harbour seals and grey seals) are more sensitive to noise at higher frequencies.

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Some of the most trafficked areas in Danish waters are also areas with a very high abundance of harbour porpoises /105/. Any displacements of harbour porpoises due to this type of noise are therefore expected to be short term, and over relatively short distances. Year-round presence of marine mammals observed at the Maersk Oil platforms show that the animals make a trade-off between the noise levels and likely higher prey abundance /124/.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The overall impact on marine mammals from underwater noise from drilling is assessed to be of minor negative significance.

6.2.8.5 Discharges The main discharges are related to the production (Gorm) and drilling activities (Rolf and Dagmar) and conservative estimates suggest that the risk of impacts on the environement is limited to within 6.6 km from the discharge (section 6.2.3). Any potential impacts on marine mammals are thus confined to the local environment near the platforms and vessels. The risk of bioaccumulation will be species-specific and depend on the type of prey. Fish has been assessed not to bioaccumulate (section 6.2.7), while plankton may incorporate some substances. The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The impact on marine mammals from discharges is assessed to be of minor negative overall significance. 6.2.8.6 Light Though saftely lights are present at all platforms and vessels only manned platforms (Gorm and Skjold) are illuminated. Navigational and deck working lights used to illuminate working areas, are sources of artificial light into the environment. Light may locally attract plankton and fish (section 6.2.5 and 6.2.7), serving as prey for marine mammals.

A recent study at the Dan platform /124/ showed that harbour porpoises near the platform had variable diurnal activity, but a general trend showed higher activity during the night close to the platform. At further distance from the platform this pattern was not observed. The presence of marine mammals at Maersk Oil platforms indicates that marine mammals do not avoid light.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The impact on marine mammals from light is assessed to be of negligible negative overall significance.

6.2.8.7 Presence/removal of structures and vessels Presence of structures and vessels may contribute to the animals' habituation to human activities, and could potentially increase the risk of e.g. collisions. Marine mammal responses to vessels often include changes in general activity (e.g., from resting or feeding, to active avoidance), changes in surfacing-respiration-dive cycles, and changes in speed and direction of movement. Behavioural reactions tend to be reduced when animals are actively involved in a specific activity such as feeding or socializing /107/.

Removal of structures will lead to temporary underwater noise. Once the structures are decommissioned, no underwater noise is foreseen.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The overall impact on marine mammals from presence of vessels is assessed to be of negligible negative significance.

6.2.8.8 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on marine mammals from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-17.

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Table 6-17 Potential impacts on marine mammals from planned activities at the GORM project.

Overall Potential impact Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of significance of mechanism impact impact impact confidence impact Underwater noise Small Local or Medium-term Moderate Medium from seismic regional Long-term negative Underwater noise Small Local Short-term Minor negative Medium from drilling Underwater noise Small Local Medium-term Minor negative Medium from production, vessels etc Discharges Small Local Medium-term Minor negative High Light Small Local Short-term Negligible High negative Presence/removal Small Local Short-term Negligible High of structures and negative vessels

The cumulative impact to marine mammals is not well known. However, little geographical overlap is expected (section 6.2.3 and 6.2.3), and it is expected that cumulative impacts will be minor. Note that marine mammals are frequently observed near the existing platforms /124/. 6.2.9 Seabirds Seabirds may potentially be impacted by noise, discharges and light.

6.2.9.1 Noise Noise may negatively affect the seabirds as physical damage or behavioural response.

Very little is known about underwater hearing in diving seabirds and information on effects from underwater sound on birds are sparse, but observations from seismic vessels in the Irish Sea also did not reveal any behavioural response of seabirds to seismic survey activities /131/. Birds diving very close (a few meters) to an air gun array, may potentially suffer damage to the auditory system. However, birds have the ability to regenerate the sensory cells in the inner ear and a possible hearing impairment, would thus be temporary.

Due to the highly mobile nature of birds, they are generally not considered to be sensitive to noise from surveys/132/.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The overall impact on seabirds from noise is assessed to be of negligible negative significance.

6.2.9.2 Discharges Discharges have been described in section 6.2.3 and are assessed to have a minor negative impact on water quality. Seabirds may be impacted if they come into contact with the discharges. The impact can include both direct impacts (contact) and indirect impacts (digestion of contaminated organisms), and will depend on the oil or chemicals encountered. Any potential impacts are thus confined to the local environment near the point of discharge.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The overall impact on seabirds from discharges is assessed to be of minor negative significance.

6.2.9.3 Light Though saftely lights are present at all platforms and vessels only manned platforms (Gorm and Skjold) are illuminated. Light and illumination may attract seabirds when it is dark or under certain weather conditions. Birds may fly into parts of the infrastructure and get injured, killed or

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stranded. There is also observations at Maersk Oil showing that the platforms may function as a resting place for seabirds, and rare observations of fatalities. The potential impact is related to individuals, and is not assessed to have an effect on the North Sea population.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term duration. The overall impact on seabirds from light is assessed to be of negligible negative significance.

6.2.9.4 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on seeabirds from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-18.

Table 6-18 Potential impacts on seabirds from planned activities at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Underwater Small Local Short-term Negligible High noise negative Discharges Small Local Short-term Minor negative Medium Light Small Local Short-term Negligible High negative

6.3 Assessment of potential social impacts Impact assessment for planned activities for each relevant environmental and social receptor is presented in the following sections.

6.3.1 Cultural heritage Potential impacts on cultural heritage relate to physical disturbance.

National authorities have laws and procedures to avoid impacts on cultural heritage from construction projects. Knowledge of cultural heritage in the North Sea is scarce, and surveys are performed prior to construction activities.

6.3.1.1 Physical disturbance Prior to drilling a site survey will be undertaken in the area around the well location and this will reveal whether any cultural heritage objects are present in the area. In case of a find proper actions needs to be taken, in order to assess the found object(s) and for proper handling. This includes involving The Danish Agency for Culture which is the responsible authority for cultural heritage in Denmark. Wrecks that are more than 100 years are protected by the museum law.

At the GORM project, the drilling will take place near exisiting platforms where surveys have been carried out, and impact from physical disturbance on cultural heritage is assessed to be of no significance.

6.3.1.2 Overall assessment The overall assessment for impacts on cultural heritage from planned activities is summarised in Table 6-19.

Table 6-19 Potential impacts on cultural heritage from planned activities at the GORM project.

Overall Potential impact Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of significance of mechanism impact impact impact confidence impact Physical disturbance - - - None High

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6.3.2 Protected areas Potential impacts on protected areas relate to discharges.

The Natura 2000 sites are assessed in a separate screening (section 10). Other protected areas include nature reserves along the west coast of Jutland, and the UNESCO reserve Wadden Sea.

6.3.2.1 Discharges As the distance between the GORM project and the Wadden Sea is more than 100 km, and the distance to the nature reserves along the west coast are more than 200 km, no impacts are anticipated from planned activities.

6.3.2.2 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on protected areas (excluding Natura 2000) from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-20.

Table 6-20 Potential impacts on protected areas (excluding Natura 2000) from planned activities at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Discharges - - - None High

6.3.3 Marine spatial use Potential impacts on marine spatial use are related to restricted zones. Note that impacts on fishery is addressed separately.

6.3.3.1 Restricted zones Safety zones of 500 m surround the existing platforms(no unauthorised vessels permitted), while existing pipelines have a safety zone 200m on each side (no anchoring and no trawling). These zones around existing structures in the North Sea cause restrictions on ship traffic.

For the GORM project, no new structures are planned, and no new permanent restricted zones are expected. However, survey and drilling activities may pose a limited temporary restriction during the short period (days-months) the activities occurs.

Once the GORM project is decommisioned, the structures will be removed. However, as pipelines are left in place and wells are plugged, there may still be limitations for use of the seabed.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term (survey or drilling) or long-term (platform safety zones) duration. The overall impact on marine spatial use from restricted zones is assessed to be of negligible negative significance.

6.3.3.2 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on marine spatial use from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-21.

Table 6-21 Potential impacts on marine spatial use from planned activities at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Restricted Small Local Short-term Negligible negative High zones long-term

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6.3.4 Fishery Potential impacts on fishery are related to occupation of seabed, restrictions and an indirect impact in case the target fish species are affected.

6.3.4.1 Physical disturbance on seabed For the GORM project, no new pipelines or structures are planned, and the physical disturbance to seabed is related to site survey and temporary placement of drilling rig legs on the seabed close to the existing platforms Rolf and Dagmar, where fishing is currently prohibited for safety reasons. Overall, it is assessed that there will be no impacts on fishery.

6.3.4.2 Restricted zones As assessed in section 6.3.3, no new pipelines or structures are planned at the GORM project, and there are no new permanent restricted zones. Temporary restricted zones may be imposed during survey and drilling activities. Extension of the restricted zone may pose a temporary restriction to fishery during the short period (days-months) the activities occur.

The impact is assessed to be of small intensity, local extent and short-term (survey or drilling) or long-term (platform safety zones) duration. The overall impact on fishery from restricted zones is assessed to be of negligible negative significance.

6.3.4.3 Changes to target fish Potential impacts on fishery could e.g. include seismic surveys resulting in target fish temporarily moving away from the sound source, potentially causing a localized reduction in fish catch in close proximity to the seismic source. Impacts on fish have been assessed in section 6.2.7 to be negligible - minor negative. The impact is thus considered of small intensity, local extent and short-long term duration. The overall impact on fishery from changes to target species is assessed to be of negligible negative significance.

6.3.4.4 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on fishery from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-22.

Table 6-22 Potential impacts on fishery from planned activities at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Physical None - - None High disturbance on seabed Restricted Small Local Short-term Negligible High zones Long-term negative Changes to None - - Negligible High target species negative

6.3.5 Tourism

6.3.5.1 Restricted zones The planned activities at the GORM project take place offshore, at a distance of 200 km from shore. Tourism is related to the nearshore (and onshore) areas, and no impacts of restricted zones on tourism are expected.

6.3.5.2 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on tourism from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-23.

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Table 6-23 Potential impacts on tourism from planned activities at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Restricted None - - None High zones

6.3.6 Employment and tax revenue Potential impacts on employment and tax revenue relate to employment at the GORM project.

6.3.6.1 Employment The future developments of Maersk oils activities in the GORM project includes seismic surveys, maintenance of pipelines and structures, drilling of up to 7 new wells at Dagmar and Rolf and well stimulation, as well as production at the existing facilities at Gorm. All these activities will contribute positively to the employment.

The offshore oil and gas production is important to Danish economy, as thousands of people are employed in the offshore industry (section 3.4.1 and 5).

The impact is assessed to be of medium intensity, local or national extent and medium-term duration. The overall impact on employment from activities at the GORM project is assessed to be of positive significance.

6.3.6.2 Tax revenue The tax revenue from the GORM project has not been quantified, but the tax revenue to the state of Denmark from oil and gas activities is significant. The state’s total revenue is estimated to range from DKK 20 to DKK 25 billion per year for the period from 2014 to 2018 (section 3.4.1 and 5).

The impact is assessed to be of medium intensity, local or national extent and medium-term duration. The overall impact on tax revenue from activities at the GORM project is assessed to be of positive significance.

6.3.6.3 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on employment from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-24.

Table 6-24 Potential impacts on employment from planned activities at the GORM project.

Impact Intensity Extent Duration Overall Level of mechanism significance confidence Employment Medium Local/national Medium term Positive Medium Tax revenue Medium Local/national Medium term Positive Medium

6.3.7 Oil and gas dependency

6.3.7.1 Dependency As part of a long-term Danish energy strategy, the oil and gas production is considered instrumental in maintaining high security of supply. Denmark is expected to continue being a net exporter of natural gas up to and including 2025 and license to operate until 2042 (section 3.4.1 and 5).

If no production is undertaken by Maersk Oil for the GORM project in the North Sea, there will be no contribution to the Danish economy or security of supply from the GORM field.

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The impact is assessed to be of medium intensity, local or national extent and medium-term duration. The overall impact on employment from activities at the GORM project is assessed to be of positive significance.

6.3.7.2 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on oil and gas dependency from planned activities at the GORM project is summarised in Table 6-24.

Table 6-25 Potential impacts on employment from planned activities at the GORM project.

Impact Intensity Extent Duration Overall Level of mechanism significance confidence Oil and gas Medium Local/national Medium term Positive Medium dependency

6.4 Summary The potential impacts on environmental and social receptors from planned activities at the GORM project are summarised in Table 6-26. The impact with the largest overall significance is provided for each receptor.

Table 6-26 Summary of potential impacts on environmental and social receptors from planned activities at the GORM project. The impact with the largest overall significance is provided for each receptor.

Receptor Worst case potential impact Hydrography Positive Climate and air quality Moderate negative Water quality Minor negative Sediment type and quality Minor negative Plankton Minor negative Benthic communities Minor negative Fish Minor negative Marine mammals Moderate negative Seabirds Minor negative Cultural heritage None Protected areas (excluding Natura 2000) None Marine spatial use Negligible negative Fishery Negligible negative Tourism None Employment and tax revenue Positive Oil and gas dependency Positive

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7. IMPACT ASSESSMENT: ACCIDENTAL EVENTS

7.1 Impact mechanisms and relevant receptors

7.1.1 Potential impact mechanisms Potential impact mechanisms associated to the accidental events at the GORM project are screened based on the project description (section 3) and the technical sections (appendix 1).

Potential impact mechanisms include:

 Minor accidental events (gas release, spill of chemical, diesel or oil)  Major accidental events (oil spill or gas release )

The source of the potential impact mechanisms is provided in Table 7-1.

Table 7-1 Sources of potential impact mechanisms for the GORM project. “X” marks relevance, while “0“ marks no relevance.

Potential impact mechanism

and

Sesimic Pipelines structures Production Drilling stimulation Well Transport Decommissioning

Minor accidental events X X X X X X X (gas, chemical, diesel or oil) Major accidental events 0 0 X X X 0 0 (oil or gas)

7.1.2 Relevant receptors (environmental and social) The environmental and social receptors described in the baseline are listed below.

 Environmental receptors: Climate and air quality, hydrographic conditions, water quality, sediment type and quality, plankton, benthic communities (flora and fauna), fish, marine mammals, seabirds  Social receptors: Cultural heritage, protected areas, marine spatial use, fishery, tourism, employment, tax revenue, oil and gas dependency

The relevant receptors have been assessed based on the project description (section 3) and the potential impact mechanisms (section 7.1). Relevant receptors are summarized in Table 7-2.

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Table 7-2 Relevant receptors for the impact assessment of accidental events for the GORM project. “X” marks relevance, while “0“ marks no relevance.

Potential Environmental Receptors Social Receptors

impact

mechanism

quality

–

accidental

events

air quality air

type and type

and

quality

G dependency G

and

Climate Climate conditions Hydrographic Water Sediment Plankton communities Benthic Fish mammals Marine Seabirds heritage Cultural areas Protected use spatial Marine Fishery Tourism Employment revenue Tax O

Gas X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 release Chemical 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 spill* Oil spill 0 0 X X X X X X X X X X X X 0 0 0 *a worst case chemical spill is very local, and not assessed further.

7.1.3 Marine strategy frameworks directive - descriptors The list of receptors and impact mechanisms described in the ESIS can be directly related to the descriptors set within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD; section 2.1.5). The MSFD outlines 11 descriptors used to assess the good environmental status of the marine environment (see presentation of descriptors in section 6.1.3).

The receptors identified in the ESIS are related to the MSFD status indicators hydrography (D7), harbour porpoise and benthic communities (D1, D6). The impact mechanisms for accidental events in the ESIS are related to the MSFD pressure indicators discharges (D6, D8, D9). Each impact mechanism is further assessed for the relevant receptors in the following sections 7.2 and 7.3.

7.1.4 Minor accidental events A minor accidental event is a spill where the spilled volume is finite.

Minor spill could be chemical or diesel, and occur following e.g. vessel collision, pipeline leakage or rupture of a chemical container. Statistical analysis shows that collisions between vessels, platforms, riser etc. are very unlikely, typically in the range of 1.4 10-7 to 6.5 10-4 per year. Minor gas release of several m3 may also occur during venting.

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Figure 7-1 Minor accidental oil, diesel and chemical spills from Maersk Oil platforms in the North Sea /144/.

7.1.4.1 Minor chemical spill (rupture of chemical contatiner) A chemical spill was modelled for biocide at the DONG operated Hejre platform /43/. The spill was defined for loss of biocide from a container, which was considered worst case regarding potential impact. The modelled spill was for 4,500 l of biocide to the sea. Results showed that the distance, to which impacts may occur (PEC/PNEC of 1), was 500 m /43/. A minor chemical spill is thus very confined, with impacts withing 500 m. A chemical spill is not assessed further.

7.1.4.2 Minor oil spill (vessel collision) A diesel spill following a vessel collision has been modelled for a spill of 1,000 m3 marine diesel during 1 hour for the Maersk drilling Siah NE-1X /5//25/. The modelling results show that no shoreline impact occurs, and impacts are only expected in the local area. Most of the oil is expected to evaporate or submerge into the water column after 7 days, and by day 20 all of the released oil is no longer mobile; it has evaporated or biodegraded /5//25/.

7.1.4.3 Minor oil spill (full pipeline rupture) A full rupture of a pipeline at the GORM project in a worst case scenario is a rupture of pipeline from Gorm E to Tyra EE. Emergency valves will automatically close to isolate the pipeline, and the expected maximum volume from a pipeline rupture is a spill of 551 m3 crude oil/condensate.

A full bore pipeline rupture has been modelled for a spill of 10,000 bbls over 1 hour at the TYE to Gorm midpoint /137/. The results show that the oil will spread locally (Figure 7-2), and that it is unlikely that the oil will cross a maritime border. The results show no risk of any shoreline being impacted by oil.

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Figure 7-2 Probability that a surface a 1 km2 cell could be impacted by oil in case of full pipeline rupture /137/.

An oil spill from a pipeline rupture was also modelled for the DONG operated Hejre platform /43/. The modelling showed that the dispersion of the spill is local near the rupture. It is expected that the oil from a pipeline rupture will rise to the surface where a large part will evaporate. Following evaporation, the oil becomes heavier and more viscous and sinks to the seabed. The fate of oil was not modelled /43/.

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7.1.5 Major accidental events A major spill results from an uncontrolled loss of a large volume of oil which often require intervention to be stopped. The main source of major spill is related to blow out events. Blow out events are highly unlikely and may occur during the drilling and completion phase or any operational phase of a well. Well blowout and well release frequencies are in the range (lowest frequency blow out – highest frequency well release) 7.5 x 10-6 to 3.3 x 10-4 per year in maintenance and operation. For development the frequencies are in the range 3.8 x 10-5 to 6.6 x 10-3 per well. As most reservoir contains a mixture of oil and gas, the blow out may results in an oil spill and a gas release. Gas will ultimately be dispersed into the atmosphere, whereas oil fate is more difficult to predict.

When the oil is spilled it goes through physical processes such as evaporation, spreading, dispersion in the water column and sedimentation to the seafloor. Eventually, the oil will be eliminated from the marine environmental through biodegradation. The rate and importance of these processes will depend on the type and quantity of the oil as well as the prevailing weather and hydrodynamic conditions. Models are used to predict the fate of oil spill and assess the potential impact on relevant environmental and social receptors.

Oils are classified following the ITOPF classification to allow a prediction of their likely behaviour /138/. Group 1 oils (API>45) tend to dissipate completely through evaporation, whereas group 2 (API: 35-45) and group 3 (API: 17.5-35) can loose up to 40% volume through evaporation but tend to form emulsion. Group 4 oils (API< 17.5) are highly viscous and do not tend to evaporate and disperse. Group 4 is the most persistent oil type. For the GORM project, the oil is relatively light with an API ranging from 36 to 40 (Type 2) for Gorm, Rolf and Skjold and 76 (Type 1) for Dagmar.

The maximum expected initial blow out flow rates from existing producing wells at the GORM project are 2,042 bopd at Skjold, 8,820 bopd at Gorm, 13,449 bopd at Rolf and 40 bopd for Dagmar /106/. These rates are much lower than the Siah scenario (Table 7-3).

The oil spill model was done using the Oil Spill Contingency and Response (OSCAR) model. OSCAR is a 3D modelling tool developed by SINTEF, able to predict the movement and fate of oil both on the surface and throughout the water column /5//25//26//27/. The model simulates more than 150 trajectories under a wide range of weather and hydrodynamic conditions representative of the GORM area. The model prepares statiscical maps based on the simulations that defines the areas most at risk to be impacted by an oil spill. Modelling is performed on the non-ignited spill without any oil spill response (e.g. mechanical recovery; section 8 and 9).

Two models were used to investigate the possible fate of an ITOPF Group 1 (Xana-1X) and ITOPF Group 2 (Siah NE-1X) oil spill occuring at one of the wells at the GORM project. An oil spill from the GORM project will be ITOPF Group 2. The modelled exploration scenarios correspond to a continuous release for 16 days with a flow rate of 8,534 bopd for ITOPF Group 1 oil (Xana-1X) and 40,432 bopd for ITOPF Group 2 oil (Siah NE-1X) respectively. The duration of the modelled blowouts is based on the fact that most exploration wells such as Xana-1X and Siah NE-1X would collapse within a duration of 16 days /140/. The casing of a production well is designed to prevent the collapse of the well and a relief well may be necessary to stop the blow out. Such intervention may require about 90 days. Nevertheless, the total volume of the oil spill modelled for Siah NE-1X and Xana-1X (high flow rate and short duration) are higher or equivalent to the maximum volume that could be expected from a producing well over a longer time. Furthermore, it is expected that a high release rate over a short period would be a worse case than a lower rate (for a production scenario) over a longer period. Thus, the results for Siah NE-1X and Xana- 1X can be used as representative of a worst credible well blow-out case at GORM.

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Figure 7-3 Location of two Maersk Oil modelled wells, for which oil spill modelling has been undertaken.

The oil spill modelling was used to determine how quickly the oil would reach shoreline and which countries could be affected. It is also used to determine the different oil spill fate and the relevant receptors at GORM. The results are also used to assist in the development of an adapted oil spill response plan (section 9.4).

The trajectory resulting in the most oil onshore is extracted to illustrate the potential fate of a major oil spill at the GORM project in more details /5//25//26//27/. The model results are summarized in Table 7-3.

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Table 7-3 Results from the worst credible case scenarios for a well blowout at Siah and Xana /5//25//26//27/. Note that the modelling is performed without any mitigating measures.

Parameter Siah NE-1X Siah NE-1X Xana 1X Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Model set-up Time of year June-November December-May March-September Release rate 40,432 stbo/d 40,432 stbo/d 8,534 stbo/d Release period 16 days 16 days 16 days Total mass spilled 90,004 MT (646,912 stbo) 90,004 MT (646,912 stbo) 19,016 MT (136,544 bbls) Model run 44 days 44 days 44 days Probability of reaching shore % of simulations 100 % 96 % 21 % reaching shore Time to reach coastline (days) Norway 37 days 37 days 24 days Denmark 14 days 15 days 14 days Germany n/a n/a n/a United Kingdom n/a n/a n/a Time to reach maritime boundary (days) Norway 7 days 9 days 2 days Germany 4 days 3 days n/a United Kingdom n/a n/a n/a Fate of oil at end of simulation (MT/%)1 Total mass spilled 90,004 MT (646,912 stbo) 90,004 MT (646,912 stbo) 19,016 MT (136,544 bbls) Onshore 10,450 MT (12%) 11,600 MT (13%) <0.2 MT (<0.5%) Surface 14 MT (<1%) 15 MT (<1%) <0.1 MT (<0.5%) Water column 370 MT (<1%) 730 MT (<1%) 30 MT (<0.5%) Evaporated 37,700 MT (39%) 35,400 MT (39%) 2,500 MT (13%) Sedimentation 26,000 MT (29%) 26,900 MT (30%) 8,400 MT (44%) Biodegraded 15,470 MT (17%) 15,359 MT (17%) 8,100 MT (42 %)

7.1.5.1 Siah NE-1X (Type 2 oil) spill modelling Oil spill modelling was undertaken using the softwate OSCAR; a 3D modelling tool able to predict the movement and fate of oil both on the surface and throughout the water column. OSCAR consists of a number of interlocking modules, and the model accounts for weathering, the physical, biological and chemical processes affecting oil at sea.

Selected results of the spill modelling for Siah NE-1X are presented in the following /5//25/:

 Figure 7-4. Norwegian, German and Dutch surface waters have up to 50 % risk of being oiled under these scenarios, while UK waters have at least a 6% risk of oiling. Danish waters (where the release site is located) have a 100 % risk of oiling.  Figure 7-5. Norwegian, German, UK and Dutch surface waters have up to 25 % risk of being oiled in these scenarios. Danish waters (where the release site is located) have a 100% risk of oiling.  Figure 7-6. Danish, Norwegian, German and Dutch shorelines could be affected during Scenario 1. The UK shoreline could also be affected during Scenario 2. The Danish shoreline is the most likely to be affected in both scenarios.  Figure 7-7. In both scenarios, the total concentration of oil in water is generally less than 150 ppb, but could reach up to 300 ppb in Norwegian, Danish, German, Dutch and UK waters.

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Figure 7-4 Probability that a surface a 1 km2 cell could be impacted in Scenario 1 (sub-surface blowout between June and November, upper plot) and Scenario 2 (sub-surface blowout between December and May, lower plot) /5//25/.

Note that these images DO NOT show the actual footprint of an oil spill, they present a statistical picture based on 168/167 independently simulated trajectories.

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Figure 7-5 Probability that a water column cell could be impacted in Scenario 1 (sub-surface blowout between June and November, upper plot) and Scenario 2 (sub-surface blowout between December and May, lower plot) /5//25/.

Note that these images DO NOT show the actual footprint of an oil spill, they present a statistical picture based on 168/167 independently simulated trajectories.

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Figure 7-6 Probability that a shoreline cell could be impacted in Scenario 1 (sub-surface blowout between June and November, upper plot) and Scenario 2 (sub-surface blowout between December and May, lower plot) /5//25/.

Note that these images DO NOT show the actual footprint of an oil spill, they present a statistical picture based on 168/167 independently simulated trajectories.

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Figure 7-7 Maximum time-averaged total oil concentration for the two scenarios. Upper plot: June- November, Lower plot: December May /5/. Note that the images does not show actual footprint of an oil spill but a statistical picture based on 168/167 independently simulated trajectories.

Note that these images DO NOT show the actual footprint of an oil spill, they present a statistical picture based on 168/167 independently simulated trajectories.

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7.1.5.2 Xana 1X spill (Type 1 oil) modelling One scenario has been modelled for a major oil spill at Xana. Selected results of the spill modelling for Xana 1X are presented in the following /26//27/:

 Table 7-6: No surface oiling is probable anywhere, when threshold of 1 MT/km2 is applied.  Figure 7-9: Other than Denmark, Norway is the only country where the water column could be impacted by a spill.  Figure 7-6: Only Danish and Norwegian shorelines could be affected in case of a spill.  Figure 7-7: Concentrations can be over 1,500 ppb around the release site. The oil concentration decreases further away from the site. If Norwegian waters experience oiling, it is expected the concentrations will be less than 300 ppb.

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Figure 7-8 Probability that a surface a 1km cell could be impacted. Note than no surface oiling is probable, when threshold of 1 MT/km2 is applied/26//27/.

Note that these images DO NOT show the actual footprint of an oil spill, they present a statistical picture based on 400 independently simulated trajectories.

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Figure 7-9 Probability that a water column grid cell could be impacted/26//27/.

Note that these images DO NOT show the actual footprint of an oil spill, they present a statistical picture based on 400 independently simulated trajectories.

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Figure 7-10 Probability of shoreline grid cells being impacted by oil/26//27/.

Note that these images DO NOT show the actual footprint of an oil spill, they present a statistical picture based on 400 independently simulated trajectories.

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Figure 7-11 Maximum time-averaged total oil concentration in water column cells/26//27/.

Note that these images DO NOT show the actual footprint of an oil spill, they present a statistical picture based on 400 independently simulated trajectories.

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7.2 Assessment of potential environmental impacts Impact assessment for the relevant environmental receptors is presented in this section for accidental events. The assessment is based on modelling data to evaluate the extent, while literature data is applied to assess the intensity and duration of impact.

7.2.1 Climate and air quality Potential impacts on climate and air quality from accidental events are related to gas release.

7.2.1.1 Major gas release Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, but also often contains related organic compounds, as well as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other components. In case of an uncontrolled gas release, gas will be released to the atmosphere, if the gas is not ignited. Methane is a greenhouse gas and is known to influence the climate with a warming effect (see section 6.2.1).

The impact to climate and air quality from an uncontrolled gas release at the GORM project is assessed to be of medium intensity, with a transboundary extent and a short term duration. The overall significance is assessed to be moderate negative.

7.2.1.2 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-4.

Table 7-4 Potential impacts on climate and air quality related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Major gas Medium Transboundary Short-term Moderate Low release negative

7.2.2 Water quality Potential impact mechanisms to water quality from accidental spill are related to minor and major oil spill.

7.2.2.1 Minor oil spill Modelling results for a marine diesel spill from a vessel show that after 20 days all of the released oil is no longer mobile; it has evaporated or biodegraded (section 7.1.3). Modelling results for a pipeline rupture show that the dispersion is local near the rupture.

The physical presence of a large oil slick will cause considerable changes to physical and chemical parameters of marine water quality, such as reduced light or oxygen levels. In addition, the increased concentration of oil substances (THC, PAH etc) will alter the water quality.

Based on the modelling results the extent of the impact on the water quality is assessed to local. The intensity is considered small with a short-term duration, as the oil will evaporate, settle or biodegrade. Overall, the impact on the water quality from an oil spill will be of minor negative significance.

7.2.2.2 Major oil spill Based on the modelling of a major oil spill (section 7.1.5) oil components concentrations can be over 1,500 ppb around the release site and there is a high probability of concentrations of 150- 300 ppb in the water column within a distance of 25 kilometers. These concentrations however, can also occur further away from the blow-out (25-250 km). The likelihood is, however, relatively small (1-25 %). At the end of the model simulation, most of the oil is either drifted onshore,

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evaporated, sedimented or biodegradated. 31 days after the accidental event <1 % are left in the water column (section 7.1.5).

The physical presence of a large oil slick will cause considerable changes to physical and chemical parameters of marine water quality, such as reduced light or oxygen levels. In addition, the increased concentration of oil substances (THC, PAH etc) will alter the water quality. The extent of the impact depends to a large extent on the prevailing meteorological conditions.

Based on the modelling results the impact is assessed to be of medium intensity, transboundary extent and a medium duration. Overall, the impact on water quality from a major oil spill will be of moderate negative significance.

7.2.2.3 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-5.

Table 7-5 Potential impacts on water quality related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Minor oil spill Small Regional Short-term Minor negative Medium Major oil spill Medium Transboundary Medium-term Moderate negative Medium

7.2.3 Sediment type and quality Potential impact mechanisms to sediment type and quality are related to minor and major oil spill.

7.2.3.1 Minor oil spill Modelling results for a marine diesel spill from a vessel show that after 20 days all of the released oil is no longer mobile; it has evaporated or biodegraded (section 7.1.3). Modelling results for a pipeline rupture show that the dispersion is local near the rupture.

Based on the modelling results the intensity of the impact is assessed to be small with a potential regional extent and a medium-term duration. Overall, the impact on sediment type and quality from a minor oil spill will be of minor negative significance.

7.2.3.2 Major spill Based on the modelling of a major oil spill, significant impacts on the sediment type and quality may occur. Modelling shows that 29-44 % of the oil will end up on the seabed, corresponding to up to 27,000 MT over a large area in the North Sea. The rest will either drif onshore, evaporate or biodegradate (section 7.1.5).

Full recovery will require degradation or burial of contaminants in combination with naturally slow successional processes. Oil degradation in the marine environment is limited by temperature, nutrient availability (especially nitrogen and phosphorous), biodegradability of the petroleum hydrocarbons, presence of organic carbon, and the presence of microorganisms with oil degrading enzymes /108//109/.

Based on the modelling results the intensity of the impact from a major oil spill is assessed to be medium with a transboundary extent and a medium duration. Overall, the impact on the sediment type and quality will be of moderate negative significance.

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7.2.3.3 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-6.

Table 7-6 Potential impacts on sediment type and quality related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Minor oil spill Small Regional Medium-term Minor negative Medium

Major oil spill Medium Transboundary Medium-term Moderate negative Medium

7.2.4 Plankton Potential impact mechanisms to plankton are related to minor and major oil spill.

7.2.4.1 Minor oil spill Based on the assessed impact to the water quality (section 7.2.2) a minor oil spill is assested to have a limited impact on plankton community. Though planktonic organisms may be affeced, the high reproductive potential of plankton is considered able to compensate.

The intensity of the impact is assessed to be small with a local extent and a short-term duration. Overall, the impact on plankton is assessed to be of minor negative significance.

7.2.4.2 Major oil spill Laboratory toxicity studies have demonstrated great variation amongst planktonic organisms in response to the effects of spilled oil, with phytoplankton generally considered less sensitive to effects than zooplankton /110/.

Off the coast of western Scotland tests in containers of naturally occurring algae and water soluble fraction of North Sea oil concentrations of 0.1 mg/l (=100 ppb) showed no significant effects on the total primary production /111/. Toxic effects including decreases in growth rate and inhibition of photosynthesis have been observed in phytoplankton exposed to water soluble fractions of oil concentrations ranging from 1,000 ppb to 10,000 ppb /112/.

Acute lethal effects to zooplankton have been observed from contact with water soluble fractions in concentrations greater than 200 ppb /110/. Sub-lethal effects to zooplankton, including physiological, biochemical and behavioural effects have been observed at one-tenth of lethal concentrations /110/. However, such laboratory toxicity studies have been shown to be of little relevance for predicting long-term effects on natural populations. Such studies are typically short-term and use robust, easily handled species not representative of the wide variety of planktonic organisms that exist naturally. Although such experiments demonstrate oil spill effects to plankton, field observations have typically showed minimal or transient effects /110/.

There are no examples of long-term effects on plankton stocks after oil spills. This is due to plankton reproductive capacity and the water circulation bringing new plankton from outside the affected area /113//114/. Plankton populations are thus not particularly vulnerable to oil spill, and may compensate for any impact through a high reproductive potential.

Based on the assessed impact to the water quality (section 7.2.2.2) the duaration of the impact on plankton is short-term. The intensity of the impact is assessed to be medium with an transboundary extent and a short-term duration. Overall, the impact of major oil spill on the plankton community will be of minor negative significance.

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7.2.4.3 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-7.

Table 7-7 Potential impacts on plankton related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Minor oil spill Small Local Short-term Minor negative Medium

Major oil spill Small Transboundary Short-term Minor negative Medium

7.2.5 Benthic communities Potential impact mechanisms on the benthic communities are related to minor and major oil spill.

7.2.5.1 Minor oil spill Based on the assessed impact to the sediment type and quality (section 7.2.3) any significant impacts on the benthic communities are estimated to be limited. The intensity of the impact is assessed to be none/small with a regional extent and a short-term duration. Overall, the impact on sediment type and quality from a minor oil spill will be of minor negative significance.

7.2.5.2 Major oil spill Lethal and sub-lethal effects to the benthos may include mortality, alterations in recruitment, growth and reproduction, as well as changes in community structure, including species richness. Nonselective deposit feeders such as polychaetes and nematodes have demonstrated resilience to the adverse effects of spilled oil /115/. Conversely, the density of crustaceans such as amphipods and copepods would be expected to decline due to their known sensitivity to the effects of oil /115/.

The biological effects of oil on the seabed and benthos depend largely on the fate of the spilled oil and the additive toxicity of aromatic hydrocarbons.

Model calculations show that 29-44 % of the oil will end at the seafloor, i.e. a large mass over a large area (section 7.1.5). It cannot be excluded that oil components could affect bottom fauna to some extent in the affected area. Recovery of soft-bottom benthos after previous shallow- water oil spills has been documented to take years to decades /108//109/.

The intensity of the impact is assessed to be medium with an transboundary extent and a medium-term duration. In conclusion, the overall impact on the benthic comunity from a major oil spill will be of major negative significance.

7.2.5.3 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-8.

Table 7-8 Potential impacts on benthic communities related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Minor oil spill None/Small Regional Short-term Minor negative Medium

Major oil spill Medium Transboundary Long-term Major negative Medium

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7.2.6 Fish Potential impact mechanisms on fish are related to minor and major oil spill.

Note that eggs and larvae are assessed as part of plankton.

7.2.6.1 Minor oil spill Based on the assessed impact to the water quality (section 7.2.2) and the sediment type and quality (section 7.2.3) a minor oil spill is assested to have a limited impact on the fish communities. The impact of a minor oil spill is confined to impacts on individuals, and not populations The intensity of the impact is assessed to be small with a regional extent and a short/medium-term duration. Overall, the impact on fish from a minor oil spill is assessed to be of minor negative significance.

7.2.6.2 Major oil spill Although laboratory studies have shown a range of lethal and sub-lethal effects of oil on fish /116/ the hydrocarbon concentrations at which these have occurred have generally been considerably higher than those occurring during oil spills /110/. Fish appear to be more sensitive to short-term acute toxicity from the lighter aromatic components which is probably because they possess the enzymes necessary to metabolise sub-lethal concentrations of hydrocarbons /110//116/.

Laboratory studies have shown that adult fish are able to detect oil in water at very low concentrations, and large numbers of dead fish have rarely been reported after oil spills /117/ /118/. This suggests that juvenile and adult fish are capable of avoiding water contaminated with high concentrations of oil.

Fish are most susceptible to the effects of spilled oil in their early life stages, particularly during egg and planktonic larval stages, which can become entrained in spilled oil. Contact with oil droplets can mechanically damage feeding and breathing apparatus of embryos and larvae /119/. The toxic compounds of oil in water can result in genetic damage, physical deformities and altered developmental timing for larvae and eggs exposed to even low concentrations over prolonged timeframes (days to weeks) /119/. More subtle, chronic effects on the life history of fish as a result of exposure of early life stages to oil include disruption of complex behaviours such as predator avoidance, reproductive and social behaviour /117/. Prolonged exposure of eggs and larvae to weathered concentrations of oil in water has also been shown to cause immunosuppression and allows expression of viral diseases /117/. However, the effect of an oil spill on a population of fish in an area with fish larvae and/or eggs, and the extent to which any of the adverse impacts may occur, depends greatly on prevailing oceanographic and ecological conditions at the time of the spill and its contact with fish eggs or larvae.

Concentrations of 100 ppb THC (total hydrocarbons) has been found to cause acute death of fish eggs and larvae /120/. According to the model results concentrations of 150-300 ppb in the water column can be found with high likelihood out to a distance of 25 km. At this concentration, the eggs and larvae of fish are likely to be affected. Lethal concentrations can also occur further away from the point of discharge (25-250 km) the likelihood is, however, relatively small (1- 25%).

Based on the modelling results, and the above information, the impact is assessed to be of medium intensity with an transboundary extent and a short to medium-term duration. Overall, the impact on the fish community from a major oil spill will be of major negative significance.

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7.2.6.3 Overall assessment The potential impacts on fish are summarised in Table 7-9.

Table 7-9 Potential impacts on fish related to accidental events at the GORM project. Note that eggs and larvae are assessed as part of plankton.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Minor oil spill Small Regional Short/medium- Minor negative Medium term Major oil spill Medium Transboundary Short/medium- Major negative Medium term

7.2.7 Marine mammals Potential impact mechanisms to marine mammals are related to minor and major oil spill.

7.2.7.1 Minor oil spill Oil spill spill from collisions or pipeline rupture may impact marine mammals which come into contact with the spill. Marine mammals generally avoid oil slicks, but impacts on individuals may occur through ingestion, inhalation or consumption of contaminated organisms. The extent of a minor oil spill is local (section 7.1.3). The intensity of the impacts is assessed to be small with a short-term duration. The overall significance of impacts on marine mammals at the GORM project is assessed to be minor negative.

7.2.7.2 Major oil spill A major oil spill may impact marine mammals which come into contact with the spill. Impacts are related to direct contact with the oil, where smothering of seals may occur leading to inflammation, infection, suffocation, hypothermia and reduced buoyancy /25/. Whales and dolphins do not have hair, and are not susceptible to smothering. Both whales and seals may accumulate toxins through ingestion (which can lead to digestive complications), inhalation (which can lead to respiratory damage, paralysis, death) or consumption of contaminated marine organisms.

The sensitive months for marine mammals in relation to a major oil spill have been determined based on the months where the species are present the North Sea /25/. Grey seal, harbour seal and harbour porpoise are sensitive year-round, while minke whale and white-beaked dolping are sensitive in summar (May-September).

Modelling results show that oil may impact both Danish, German, Dutch, UK and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea, and the extent is thus considered transboundary. The intensity of the impact is considered to be large, as there may be an impact to the individuals, and also to populations.

Seals can also lose their shoreline habitat if oil washes up on their haul-out sites. Oil spill modelling has identified Denmark and Norway as most vulnerable to oil beaching, although Germany, UK and the Netherlands could also be affected.

The intensity of the impact from a major oil spill is large, and may affect the ecosystem structure of marine mammals in the North Sea. The duration of the impact is long-term, and the overall significance on marine mammals from a major oil spill is assessed to be major negative.

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7.2.7.3 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-10.

Table 7-10 Potential impacts on marine mammals related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Minor oil spill Small Local Short-tem Minor negative Medium Major oil spill Large Transboundary Long-term Major negative High

7.2.8 Seabirds Potential impact mechanisms to seabirds are related to minor or major oil spill.

7.2.8.1 Minor oil spill A minor oil spill may impact seabirds, if they come into contact with the oil (see description of vulnerability below). The extent of a minor oil spill is considered local, and of medium-term duration. The intensity if considered small, as the impact of a minor oil spill will affect individuals and not populations. The overall significance of impacts on seabirds from a minor oil spill is assessed to be moderate negative.

7.2.8.2 Major oil spill Seabirds are very vulnerable to oil spills in the marine environment. Oil may destroy the insulating and water-resistant properties and affecting the buoyancy of the plumage causing the bird to die from hypothermia, starvation or drowning. In addition, birds may get intoxicated from ingestion or inhalation of fuels when they are cleaning their plumages or are feeding on contaminated food. Intoxication may cause irritation of the digestive organs, damages to liver, kidneys and salt glands and leading to anaemia. The intensity of the impacts is therefore assessed to be large /25/.

Birds tend to nest in late spring and summer, which means juveniles are most vulnerable to oil spills in the spring and summer months, although adults of many species may be found in the North Sea all year. The window of vulnerability for migratory birds depends on whether they summer or winter along the North Sea coasts.

A major oil spill is assessed to have a transboundary extent and long-term duration. The overall significance of impacts on seabirds from a major oil spill is assessed to be major negative.

7.2.8.3 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-11.

Table 7-11 Potential impacts on seabirds related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Minor oil spill Large Local-Regional Medium-term Moderate negative Medium Major oil spill Large Transboundary Long-term Major negative High

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7.3 Assessment of potential social impacts Impact assessment for the relevant social receptors is presented in this section for accidental events. The assessment is based on modelling data to evaluate the extent, while literature data is applied to assess the intensity and duration of impact.

7.3.1 Cultural heritage Potential impacts on cultural heritage are related to oil spill.

Cultural heritage as wrecks or submerged settlements can be impacted by smothering of oil in connection with minor or major oil spills.

The impact will depend on the type of cultural heritage, and the type of oil spilled. The intensity of potential impacts is assessed to be medium, with a transboundary extent and medium-term duration. The overall significance of impacts on cultural heritage from oil spill at the GORM project is assessed to be moderate negative.

7.3.1.1 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-12.

Table 7-12 Potential impacts on cultural heritage related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Oil spillspill Medium National Medium-term Moderate Low negative

7.3.2 Protected areas Potential impact mechanisms are related to minor or major spill. Potential impacts on protected areas concerns nature reserves along the west coast of Jutland, and the UNESCO reserve Wadden Sea.

7.3.2.1 Minor oil spill A chemical spill and an oil spill following vessel collision or pipeline rupture are all events which are considered of local extent, based on the presented modelling (section 7.1). As the GORM project activities are located offshore (200 km from shore), minor oil spills are assessed to have no impact on protected areas.

7.3.2.2 Major oil spill Major oil spill has been modelled (section 7.1). The potentially impacted area include the Wadden Sea and the nature reserves along the west coast of Jutland. As a precautionary approach, the intensity of the impacts is assessed to be large, with transboundary extent and long-term duration. The overall significance of impacts on protected areas from major oil spill is assessed to be major negative.

7.3.2.3 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-13.

Table 7-13 Potential impacts on protected areas related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Minor oil spill None Local Short-term Negligible negative High Major oil spill Large Transboundary Long-term Major negative Medium

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7.3.3 Marine spatial use Potential impact mechanisms are related to minor and major oil spill and major gas release.

7.3.3.1 Minor spill Minor oil spill from e.g. collisions will impact ship traffic in terms of risk of fire, contamination of vessels and restriction areas, where emergency handling is taken place. The intensity of the impacts is assessed to be small, with national extent and short-term duration. The overall significance of impacts on ship traffic from minor oil spill is assessed to be minor negative.

7.3.3.2 Major oil spill A major oil spill is assessed to impact ship traffic as risk of fire and contamination of vessels and as restriction areas where ship traffic is prohibited due to emergency handling. The impact will have a medium intensity with transboundary extent and medium-term duration. The overall significance of impacts on ship traffic from minor oil spill is assessed to be moderate negative.

7.3.3.3 Major gas release An uncontrolled gas release will likely impact the ship traffic indirectly as spatial restrictions in connection with safety distance to blow out point and danger of fire. The impact is assessed to be of medium intensity, transboundary extent and short term. The overall significance of impacts on ship traffic from major gas release at the GORM project is assessed to be minor negative.

7.3.3.4 Overall assessment The overall assessment of impacts on ship traffic from accidental events at the GORM project is summarised in Table 7-14.

Table 7-14 Potential impacts on marine spatial use related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Minor oil spill Small National Short-term Minor negative Medium Major oil spill Medium Transboundary Medium-term Moderate negative Medium Major gas Medium Transboundary Short-term Minor negative Medium release

7.3.4 Fishery Potential impact mechanisms related to oil spill and gas release.

7.3.4.1 Major gas release An uncontrolled gas release will likely impact the ship traffic indirectly as spatial restrictions in connection with safety distance to blow out point and danger of fire. The impact is assessed to be of medium intensity, transboundary extent and short term. The overall significance of impacts on fishery from gas release at the GORM project is assessed to be minor negative.

7.3.4.2 Major oil spill A major oil spill may impact fishery in terms of risk of contamination of vessels and gear and target species and restriction areas, where emergency handling is taking place. The intensity of the impacts is assessed to be medium, with regional extent and short-term duration. The overall significance of impacts on fishery from major oil spill is assessed to be minor negative.

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Physical effects to target species for fishery may have other consequences for fishery. As impacts on fish and marine invertebrates from an oil spill are expected to be major negative, it is assessed that impacts on fisheries will also occur. Further impacts on fisheries may arise due to market perceptions of poor product quality (no buyers or reduced prices, etc.). A major oil spill in the North Sea may significantly decreased buyers interest in fish and shellfish from the area. This can lead to loss of business and affect local economy. Perceptions are difficult to predict, since the actual (physical) impacts of the spill might have little to do with these perceptions. As a precautionary approach, the intensity of the impacts is assessed to be large, with transboundary extent and long-term duration. The overall significance of impacts on fishery from major oil spill from is assessed to be major.

7.3.4.3 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-15.

Table 7-15 Potential impacts on fisheries related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential impact Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of mechanism significance of impact impact impact confidence impact Gas release Medium Transboundary Short-term Minor negative Medium Major oil spill Medium Transboundary Medium- Major negative Low Impacts on target term species Major oil spill Large Transboundary Long-term Major negative Low Perception/reputation

7.3.5 Tourism Potential impact mechanisms for tourism are related to major oil spill.

7.3.5.1 Major oil spill Impacts on tourism from accidental events include oil contamination on the beaches of the west coast of Jutland and impacts on the Wadden Sea national parks and possible also the southern coast of Norway.

The oil spill modelling show, that Danish, Norwegian, German, Dutch and UK shorelines could be affected by oil, though the Danish shoreline is most likely to be affected. The reputation of this can stop tourists from returning for years and give loss of business and affect local economy. An oil spill can thus result in long term effects on tourist attraction.

The intensity of the impacts is assessed to be large, with transboundary extent and long-term duration. The overall significance of impacts on tourism from a major oil spill at the GORM project is assessed to be major negative.

7.3.5.2 Overall assessment The potential impacts are summarised in Table 7-16.

Table 7-16 Potential impacts on tourism related to accidental events at the GORM project.

Potential Overall Intensity of Extent of Duration of Level of impact significance of impact impact impact confidence mechanism impact Major oil spill Large Transboundary Long-term Major negative Medium

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7.4 Summary The potential impacts on environmental and social receptors from accidental events at the GORM project are summarised in Table 6-26. The impact with the largest overall significance is provided for each receptor.

Table 7-17 Summary of potential impacts on environmental and social receptors for accidental events at the GORM project. The impact with the largest overall significance is provided for each receptor.

Receptor Worst case potential impact Climate and air quality Moderate negative Water quality Moderate negative Sediment type and quality Moderate negative Plankton Minor negative Benthic communities Major negative Fish Major negative Marine mammals Major negative Seabirds Major negative Cultural heritage Moderate negative Protected areas Major negative Marine spatial use Moderate negative Fishery Major negative Tourism Major negative

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8. MITIGATING MEASURES

Maersk Oil have identified several mitigating measures for planned activities and accidental events with a risk of significant impacts on environmental or social receptors. The mitigating measures are in place to eliminate or reduce the risk of impacts as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). In addition to the mitigating measures, several monitoring campaigns are conduted around Maersk Oil platforms (section 9.5).

8.1 Mitigating for planned activities 8.1.1 Measures to reduce emissions Maersk Oil plans to implement a structured energy efficiency process and conduct a comprehensive review to identify ways to improve energy efficiency offshore. The production has become more energy efficient over the years, and in 2013 the energy management at Maersk Oil was ISO-14001certified. Annual audits of performance and environmental action plans are part of this. The system is to be certified every three years.

8.1.2 Underwater noise mitigating measures The risks of underwater noise impacting marine mammals in geophysical acquisition and construction projects are mitigated by:

 Planning and efficient execution of the geophysical data acquisition and construction projects to minimise te duration of the operations.  Monitoring the presence of marine mammals before the onset of noise creating activities, and throughout the geophysical data acquisition or construction.  In areas where impacts on marine mammals are anticipated, best available technology will be assessed.  An exclusion zone is implemented and operations will be delayed when the presence of marine mammal is detected before start-up of the operations.  Soft-start procedures, also called ramp-up, should be used in areas of known marine mammal activity. This involves a gradual increase in sound signal level to full operational levels.

8.1.3 Discharge mitigating measures Maersk Oil uses chemicals in its operations, and is constantly examining the use and discharge of chemicals. Before any chemicals can be permitted for use and discharge offshore, an application must be submitted to the Danish authorities. Part of the application is an environmental classification of each chemical carried out in accordance with the OSPAR Recommendation 2010/4 on a harmonised pre-screening scheme for offshore chemicals. The classification applies a colour coding system used by Maersk Oil based on the criteria outlined in OSPAR, 2010 /44/:

 Black: Black chemicals contain one or more components registered in OSPAR’s ‘List of Chemicals for Priority Action’. The use of black chemicals is prohibited except in special circumstances. Maersk Oil has not used them since 2005 but has dispensation in 2015 to use black pipe dope in part of the casing in the drilling of a high-pressure, high-temperature exploration well.  Red: These are environmentally hazardous and contain one or more components that, for example, accumulate in living organisms or degrade slowly. OSPAR recommendation is that the discharge of these chemicals must end by 1 January 2017. Since 2008, Maersk Oil has been phasing out red chemicals, using them only if safety, technological and environmental arguments require use. Discharges have decreased sharply since 2010.  Green: These contain environmentally acceptable components recorded on OSPAR’s PLONOR list that ‘pose little or no risk’ to the environment.  Yellow: These are chemicals not covered by the other classifications and can normally be discharged.

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The risks of impact on the environment of operational discharges associated with production are mitigated through management of produced water through Risk Based Approach (RBA) in accordance with the OSPAR Guidelines and Recommendation /4/.

The RBA is used to review management options, evaluate measures and develop and implement site-specific actions to reduce environmental risks of production chemicals discharges which are not adequately controlled. Risk reduction measures may comprise some of the following:

 Technical measures, such as abatement at the source by redesign of the applied processes (water shut off in the well);  Substitution of chemicals;  Application of closed systems (e.g. injection of produced water);  End-of-pipe techniques such as separation or clarification techniques to treat produced water prior to discharge, and;  Organisational measures such as management systems in place (training, instructions, procedures and reporting).

An important tool within the RBA is the use of hydrodynamic models to predict the dispersion of the produced water outflow with a substance based approach /139/. This allows to identify the most important contributors to the risk and evaluate chemical substitution options while ensuring the application of BAT/BEP.

8.2 Mitigating of accidental events Maersk Oil acts according to the zero tolerance for spills policy. This prescribes that all accidental discharges of oil and chemicals, regardless of volume, must be reported. Measures are introduced to reduce the volume and number of spillage through e.g. inspections and training. Maersk Oil follows industrial best practices for prevention of major accidents based on identification of major hazards assessed through risk assessment /121/.

Maersk Oil strives to reduce the risk of major accidents to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) through the identification of major hazards in risk analyses and the development of barriers (e.g. procedure, training, and design). For example, facilities are protected against collision by installing boat fenders to jackets. Processing facilities, wells and pipelines are protected against large release by safety valves. A safety zone around pipelines and platforms is implemented to prevent collisions from bottom trawling equipment or anchoring. Procedures are in place to restricted supply vessel traffic and hose handling in case of rough weather (see also Appendix 1).

The risk assessment and reduction measures are regularly updated in case of significant new knowledge or technology development.

Emergency response and contingency planning are also developed to limit the consequence in case of a major accident related to its projects. Maersk Oil’s oil spill contingency plan is summarised in section 9.

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9. ENVIROMENTAL STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES IN MAERSK OIL

9.1 Environmental management system Maersk Oil operates with a ISO 14001 certified environmental management system /106/. The objectives of the environmental management system is to minimise the impact on the environment by continually improving the environmental performance.

The objective shall be achieved by:

 Maintaining a complete and effective environmental management system  Providing timely and effective innovative actions to reduce environmental impact  Promoting the awareness of environmental matters at all organisational levels  Minimising environmental impact through principles of best available technology (BAT) and best environmental practice (BEP).

9.2 Environmental and social impact in project maturation An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment standard /143/ that lays out the process for managing risk of environmental and social impacts of new large projects has recently been implemented in Maersk Oil. The standard provides a framework embedded within the Maersk Oil project maturation process which will be used from start and throughout the different development phases of future devolpment projects.

9.3 Demonstration of BAT/BEP The OSPAR Convention of 1992 requires contracting parties to apply best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practice (BEP) including, where appropriate, clean technology, in their efforts to prevent and eliminate marine pollution.

As defined the OSPAR convention BAT means the latest stage of development (state of the art) of processes, of facilities or of methods of operation which indicate the practical suitability of a particular measure for limiting discharges, emissions and waste. BEP is defined as the application of the most appropriate combination of environmental control measures and strategies.

It follows that BAT and BEP for a particular source will change with time in the light of technological advances, economic and social factors, as well as changes in scientific knowledge and understanding.

BAT has also been implemented in the EU IPCC directive 96/61/EC, and the IE directive (2010/75/EU). What constitutes BAT is identical in the two directives, but Articles 13 to 16 of the IE directive require that BAT reference documents are prepared as a reference for setting permit conditions. The BAT principle is illustrated in Figure 9-1

Figure 9-1 Illustration of best available technique.

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It is a Maersk Oil objective to implement the principles of BAT and BEP in an effort to minimize the potential environmental impacts of activities in the North Sea. This entails that environmental concerns are adressed and encompassed in the planning phase. The BAT/BEP principle has been used in the design and operation of the installations and process equipment of Maersk Oil as well as for the selection of materials and substances.

Examples of how Maersk Oil applies BAT and BEP include measures to

 Improving energy efficiency  Monitoring and minimising emissions  Optimising the use and discharge of chemicals  Supporting the development of chemicals with less environmental impact  Use of efficient equipment during well test  Continuous review and assessment of projects and applied equipment

For example, Maersk Oil and gas use several technologies such as hydrocyclones, induced gas flotation units, compact flotation units for treatment of produced water, which are included in the OSPAR background document concerning techniques for the management of produced water from offshore installations, an overview from 2002 of BAT for handling produced water.

9.4 Oil spill contingency plan Maersk Oil's emergency preparedness in connection with serious incidents offshore on and around Maersk Oil's installations and in Danish concession areas held by A.P. Møller-Mærsk is centred around and coordinated by permanently established emergency committees.

Maersk Oil has developed an oil spill contingency plan /106/, which describes how to combat possible oil spills. Oil spill scenarios up to and including the worst credible case discharge scenario for Maersk Oil facilities and wells have been considered to ensure an appropriate tiered capability is established.

 Tier 1: e.g. small operational spills  Mobilise oil spill monitoring/surveillance vessel.  Oil spill drift modelling.  Use in-field vessel with boom/skimmer equipment mobilised within 8 hours.

 Tier 2: medium spill volume  Tier 1 measures.  Use of additional resources (boom, skimmer and transfer pump/hoses) mobilised from Esbjerg or from the Danish National stockpile within 20 hour.  Waste removal is done by dedicated tanker.

 Tier 3: e.g. blow out  Tier 2 measures.  Mobilise additional vessel with 1200m boom, skimmer and transfer pump/hoses within 30 hour. Mobilise trained personnel and additional equipment from Oil Spill Response Ltd (OSRL).  Waste removal is done by dedicated tanker.  Mobilise relief well contractor.  Consult NGOs regarding wildlife response.

Maersk Oil has access to oil spill equipment offshore and in Esbjerg that can be mobilised to an oil spill location immediately. If necessary, additional equipment will be mobilised from the Danish stock pile and OSRL. Maersk Oil is a participant member of OSRL and has access to their

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world-wide pool of personnel and equipment. OSRL’s main equipment stockpile in Europe is based in Southampton in the UK but additional equipment is also available in Stavanger.

The use of dispersant chemicals to increase oil dispersion, dilution and natural breakdown will be evaluated when relevant. The use of dispersant chemicals is regulated and dispersant may only be used after approval by DEPA.

Regular emergency exercises (oil spills) are carried out as a minimum every three years to train and motivate personnel, test the equipment and to ensure plans as described are effective Relevant authorities participate in the exercise.

9.5 Ongoing monitoring Maersk Oil has flowmeters measuring the volume of discharged produced water, and water samples are regularly obtained for analysis of oil and chemical content. The nature, type and quantities chemical used and chemicals and oil discharged to sea are reported to the Environmental Agency.

Monitoring of sediment quality and benthic fauna is undertaken at regular intervals around Maersk Oil platforms /6/.

 The physical and chemical analyses included grain size analysis, dry matter (DM), loss on ignition (LOI), total organic carbon (TOC), metals (barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg) and aluminium (Al)), Total hydrocarbons (THC), Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and oil specific group of alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons (NPD).  Samples obtained for identification and quantification of the benthic fauna

In addition, Maersk Oil monitors underwater noise and marine mammals through passive acoustic monitoring and an offshore sighting program in which offshore staff reports sightings of marine mammals near platforms.

Figure 9-2 Acoustic monitoring of marine mammals (Photo: Aarhus University, DCE).

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10. NATURA 2000 SCREENING

10.1 Introduction The Natura 2000 network comprises:

 Habitats Directive Sites (Sites of Community Importance and Special Areas of Conservation) designated by Member States for the conservation of habitat types and animal and plant species listed in the Habitats Directive  Bird Directive Sites (Special Protection Areas) for the conservation of bird species listed in the Birds Directive as well as migratory birds

This section constitutes the Natura 2000 screening in accordance with the EC habits Directive and Order 408/2007, § 7.

10.2 Designated species and habitats The designated Natura 2000 sites are shown in Figure 10-1.

Figure 10-1 Natura 2000 sites in the North Sea.

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Natura 2000 sites in the central North Sea are detailed in Table 10-1.

Table 10-1 Natura 2000 sites in the central North Sea.

Natura 2000 Name Designated marine species and habitattypes Site code UK0030352 Dogger Bank  1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time  1351 Phocoena phocoena  1364 Halichoerus grypus  1365 Phoca vitulina NL2008002 Klaverbank  1170 Reefs  1351 Phocoena phocoena  1364 Halichoerus grypus  1365 Phoca vitulina NL2008001 Doggersbank  1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time  1351 Phocoena phocoena  1364 Halichoerus grypus  1365 Phoca vitulina DE1003301 Doggerbank  1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time  1351 Phocoena phocoena  1365 Phoca vitulina  Fulmarus glacialis, Larus fuscus, Morus bassanus, Rissa tridactyla, Uria aalge DE1209301 Sylter Außenriff  1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time  1170 Reefs  1351 Phocoena phocoena  1364 Halichoerus grypus  1365 Phoca vitulina  1103 Alosa fallax  Gavia arctica, Gavia stellata, Lampetra fluviatilis, Larus canus, Larus fuscus, Larus marinus, Larus minutus, Morus bassanus, Rissa tridactyla, Sterna hirundo, Sterna paradisaea, Sterna sandvicensis, Uria aalge DK00VA347 Sydlige Nordsø  1110 Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time  1351 Phocoena phocoena  1364 Halichoerus grypus  1365 Phoca vitulina  Gavia stellata, Gavia arctica, Larus minutus, Sula bassana, Somateria mollissima, Melanitta nigra, Stercorarius skua, Uria alge, Alca torda, Alle alle DK00VA257 Jyske Rev  1170 Reefs  1351 Phocoena phocoena

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10.3 Potential impacts The screening is carried out to identify all those elements of the project or plan, alone or in combination with other projects or plans, that may have significant impacts on the Natura 2000 site.

No activities associated with the GORM project are planned to occur within the designated Natura 2000 sites.

Planned activities at the GORM project have been assessed in section 6. Potential impacts on Natura 2000 sites include noise and discharges.

10.3.1 Underwater noise A number of activities at the GORM project may generate underwater noise, including seismic surveys, drilling, and presence of production platforms and vessels. There is no geographical overlap between the GORM project and Natura 2000 sites. However, underwater noise from seismic and ramming of conductors may spread into nearby Natura 2000 sites, and is further assessed in this screening.

10.3.2 Discharges The main discharges are related to production and drilling, though other minor negative discharges may also occur (e.g. from vessels).

 Discharges of water based mud and cuttings during planned drilling activities is expected to occur from a drilling rig (at Rolf or Dagmar). The distance to which impacts on pelagic environment may occur has previously been modelled for a typical well, and is up to 7 km from the point of discharge (section 6). The area where impacts may occur will depend on the currents, and will likely follow the prevailing northward currents. The distance t which impacts on sediment quality has also been modelled, and is assssed to be within a few hundred meters for the drilling rig (section 6.2.4). The distance from the point of discharge to the nearest Natura 2000 site it less than 1 km (Rolf) or 5 km (Dagmar). Discharges during drilling at Rolf and Dagmar may thus impact to water quality in the Natura 2000 site, if southern currents dominate. However, the impact is assessed to be local and short term (associated with up to 7 wells), and without significant environmental effects on habitat types or species in the Natura 2000 sites.  Discharges from production are expected to continue until 2042, and will occur at Gorm. The distance to which impacts on the pelagic environment may occur has been modelled, and is up to 6.6 km from the point of discharge (section 6). The distance from the point of discharge (Gorm) to the nearest Natura 2000 site is 12 km, and no impacts on the environment is expected within the Natura 2000 site. It is therefore assessed that production activities will not have significant environmental effects on the conservation objectives of the habitat types or species in the Natura 2000 sites.

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10.4 Screening Several species are designated for the Natura 2000, sites including the German site Doggerbank. No potential impacts are foreseen for birds, fish or habitat types. The screening concerns only marine mammals.

10.4.1 Habitat species - marine mammals Marine mammals (harbour porpoise, harbour seal, grey seal) are designated for several Natura 2000 sites, including the German site Doggerbank. Marine mammals may be impacted in the form of impaired hearing (PTS or TTS) or a behavioural response due to underwater noise (as reviewed in section 6.2.8). The two main sources of underwater noise are drilling and seismic.

Noise levels during ramming of conductors have previously been monitored (section 6.2.8), and this shows that the noise levels have a risk of causing hearing damage to marine mammals in an area close to the drilling rig (few hundred meters) and that behavioural effects are most likely to be found within a few kilometres from the rig. Avoidance of the area is not expected (section 6.2.8).

Noise levels produced by airguns in connection with seismic activities can be harmful to marine mammals. The exact location of the seismic survey in relation to the Natura 2000 site is not known. If the survey is bordering to the German Natura 2000 site Doggerbank, there is a risk of impact (hearing or behavioural impact) to individuals within the site if the survey is close to the site and animals are present. The risk is related to individuals, and it is assessed that the marine mammal populations in the North Sea will not be affected. It is therefore assessed that planned activities will not have significant environmental effects on the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 sites.

10.5 Conclusion It is assessed that planned activities at the GORM project will not have significant environmental impacts on the conservation objectives of the habitat types or species in the Natura 2000 sites.

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11. TRANSBOUNDARY IMPACTS

11.1 Introduction The GORM project refers to the platform Gorm, and its satellite platforms Skjold, Rolf and Dagmar. An environmental and social impact assessment (EISA-16) is undertaken for the remaining lifetime of the ongoing projects, and the entire life time from exploration to decommissioning for planned projects. The ESIA-16 shall replace the EIA conducted in 2010 “Environmental impact assessment from additional oil and gas activities in the North Sea, July 2011” which is valid for the period 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015.

Notifications for the GORM project were forwarded to the relevant German authorities in accordance with article 3.1 of the Espoo convention. The German authorities have expressed the wish to participate in the hearing for the ESIS GORM.

In this section, a summary of the GORM project and its likely significant transboundary impacts is provided. The section is focused on providing sufficient information to facilitate the identification of possible transboundary impacts. The rationale and support for the attributed level of significance and spatial extent can be found in detail in the relevant sections of the ESIS (section 6 and 7).

11.2 ESPOO convention The ESPOO convention states that the concerned parties likely to be affected by transboundary adverse significant impacts are informed of and provided with possibilities for making comments or objections on the proposed activity.

The GORM project can be found as item 15 (offshore hydrocarbon production) on the list of activities in appendix I to the convention, that are likely to cause a significant adverse transboundary impact.

11.3 The GORM project 11.3.1 Existing production and processing facilities The GORM project, including the platform Gorm and its satellite platforms Dagmar, Rolf and Skjold. Production was initiated at Gorm in 1981, then later at Skjold (1982), Rolf (1986) and Dagmar (1991). The total production peaked in 1999 and has been on a natural decline since. Maersk Oil has the license to explore for and produce oil and gas was extended until 8 July 2042.

Gorm is primarily an oil producing and oil processing platform that receives, processes and sends to shore the entire DUC’s oil production.

The Skjold installation is a wellhead and accommodation platform and the Rolf and Dagmar installations are unmanned wellhead platforms. The majority of the produced water at Gorm, Skjold and Dagmar is re-injected into the reservoir at Gorm and Skjold, while the treated produced water from Rolf is discharged to sea at Gorm.

The processing facilities include hydrocarbon processing equipment (oil stabilisation, gas processing and processing of production water), auxiliary safety systems such as an emergency shutdown system, emergency blow-down system, fire and gas detection system, firewater system, etc.

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Figure 11-1 Maersk Oil North Sea projects TYRA, HARALD, DAN, GORM and HALFDAN.

11.3.2 Planned development activities The following main activities are planned to continue and optimise the production for the GORM project and potentially access new hydrocarbon resources:

 Seismic investigations provide information to interpret the geological structure of the subsurface and to identify the location and volume of remaining and potential new hydrocarbon reserves. Seismic data is also acquired as part of drilling hazard site surveys to map and identify potential hazards to the installation of drilling rigs and to the drilling operation. Seismic data are also acquired as part of seabed and shallow geophysical surveys to map seabed and shallow soil conditions for the design and installation of pipelines, platforms and other structures.

 Drilling of up to 2 wells at Dagmar and up to 5 new wells at Rolf may be done under the GORM project. Slot recovery or redrilling from existing wells of up to 21 at Gorm and Skjold can also be expected as part of the GORM project. Drilling is performed from a drilling rig, which is placed on the seabed. Different types of drilling mud will be used based on the well and reservoir properties. Water-based mud and cuttings will be discharged to the sea, whereas oil-based mud and cuttings will be brought onshore to be dried and incinerated.

 Well stimulation will be performed to facilitate hydrocarbon extraction (for a production well) or water injection (for an injection well).

 Decommissioning will be done in accordance with technical capabilities, industry experience and under the legal frameworks at the time of decommissioning.

11.3.3 Accidental events As part of the production, accidental spills of oil, gas or chemical may occur. There is a risk of accidents that could lead to a major significant environmental and social impacts, such as vessels collisions, large pipeline rupture or a well blow out. The risk of a well blowout is very unlikely.

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11.3.4 Alternatives Project alternative The 0 alternative (zero alternative) is a projection of the anticipated future development without project realization, and describes the potential result if nothing is done. For GORM, this would mean that the production would cease. If no production is undertaken by Maersk Oil for the GORM area in the North Sea, there will be no contribution to the Danish economy or security of hydrocarbon supply and employment.

Tehcnical alternatives Best environmental practice for the different type of activities planned for the GORM project (seismic, pipelines and structures, production, drilling, well stimulation, transport and decommissioning) is continuously monitored and applied when feasible.

Alternative location The GORM project is a continuation of production and activities at existing facilities. As such, there is no alternative location for the project.

11.4 Identified impacts – planned activities Potential impacts to environmental and social receptors during planned activities at the GORM project have been assessed in section 6. A summary of the potential worst case impacts is presented in Table 11-1.

Table 11-1 Summary of potential impacts on environmental and social receptors from planned activities at the GORM project. The impact with the largest overall significance is provided for each receptor (without mitigating measures).

Receptor Worst case potential impact Extent Overall significance of impact Hydrography Local Positive Climate and air quality Transboundary Moderate negative Water quality Local Minor negative Sediment type and quality Local Minor negative Plankton Local Minor negative Benthic communities Local Minor negative Fish Local Minor negative Marine mammals Local or regional Moderate negative Seabirds Local Minor negative Cultural heritage None None Protected areas (UNESCO, nature reserve) None None Natura 2000 No significant environmental effects Marine spatial use Local Negligible negative Fishery Local Negligible negative Tourism None None Employment and tax revenue Local or national Positive Oil and gas dependency Local or national Positive

Transboundary adverse impacts have been identified for climate and air quality, where the emissions from the GORM project may have a minor contribution to climate change and air pollution. Maersk Oil has implemented a structured energy efficiency process and conduct a comprehensive review to identify ways to improve energy efficiency offshore. The production has become more energy efficient over the years, and in 2013 the environmental management system at Maersk Oil was ISO-14001 certified.

No other significant adverse transboundary impacts have been identified for the planned activities at the GORM project.

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A Natura 2000 screening is presented for the planned activities. It is assessed that the planned activities will have no significant environmental effects on the conservation objectives of the habitat types or species in the national and international Natura 2000 sites (section 10).

11.5 Identified impacts – accidental events Potential impacts to environmental and social receptors during accidental events from the GORM project have been assessed in section 7. A summary of the worst case potential impacts (without mitigating measures) is presented in Table 11-2.

Table 11-2 Summary of potential impacts on environmental and social receptors for accidental events at the GORM project. The impact with the largest overall significance is provided for each receptor (without mitigating measures).

Receptor Worst case potential impact Extent Overall significance of impact Climate and air quality Transboundary Moderate negative Water quality Transboundary Moderate negative Sediment type and quality Transboundary Moderate negative Plankton Transboundary Minor negative Benthic communities Transboundary Major negative Fish Transboundary Major negative Marine mammals Transboundary Major negative Seabirds Transboundary Major negative Cultural heritage National Moderate negative Protected areas (UNESCO, nature reserve) Transboundary Major negative Marine spatial use Transboundary Moderate negative Fishery Transboundary Major negative Tourism Transboundary Major negative

If a major oil spill occurs, there is a risk of major negative transboundary impacts. The risk of a major oil spill is very unlikely, but could potentially have significant, adverse transboundary impacts. Oil released could cross maritime boundaries with Norway, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. The oil spill modelling identified the north and west of Denmark and south Norway as most vulnerable to oil beaching, although Germany, UK and the Netherlands could also be affected.

Maersk Oil acts according to the zero tolerance for spills policy. Measures are introduced to reduce the volume and number of spillage, and Maersk Oil follows industrial best practices for prevention of accidents based on identification of major hazards assessed through risk assessment. Emergency response and contingency planning are also developed to limit the consequences of a major accident related to its projects.

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12. LACK OF INFORMATION AND UNCERTAINTIES

Uncertainty may be viewed as an inescapable part of assessment of impacts of plans, programmes or projects.

12.1 Project description The project description has been based on input from Maersk Oil. The project description is based on a scenario with maximum activity, emissions and discharges.

For some activities, the location and/or timing has not been decided. This will be done as part of the preparation of the detailed planning of the activities. The ESIS is undertaken using a worst case approach, and therefore minor alterations to location and/or timing is assessed to be of minor influence to the assessments.

The understanding of the employment and tax revenue for the project has not been described in detail. The assessment is therefore based on the overall DUC contribution.

12.2 Environmental and social baseline The central North Sea is relatively well known, and the environmental and social baseline is generally considered sufficient for the ESIS.

However, a few receptors are less well understood:

 The distribution and biology of non-commercial fish species is scarce, and knowledge of spawning areas is limited.  The variability of distribution of marine mammals within and between years is not well known, and the breeding and moulting periods and locations are not certain.  Fishery is mapped based on the North Sea Atlas which applies ICES data. However, the variability between years is not detailed for this ESIS.

12.3 Impact assessment Predictions can be made using varying means, ranging from qualitative assessment and expert judgement to quantitative techniques like modelling. Use of these quantitative techniques allows a reasonable degree of accuracy in predicting changes to the existing environmental and social conditions. However, not all of the assessed impacts are easy to measure or quantify, and expert assumptions are needed.

Uncertainty has been adressed in this ESIS by presenting a level of confidence for each of the assessments in section 6 and 7. The level of confidence includes interactions between impact mechanisms and receptors, available baseline data as well as modelling (section 4).

Overall, impacts are assessed based on todays technological capabilities. Maersk Oil expects that technological development will lead to a reduction in emissions and discharges, which will reduce impact.

12.3.1 Planned activities The potential environmental impacts have been assessed for each receptor (e.g. plankton, employment). The impact assessment is based on empirical studies, scientific literature, modelling results as well as previous EIAs.

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Previous modelling results have been applied in this ESIS, with no site-specific modelling. Similar activities have previously been assessed for the same area, and modelling has been undertaken for e.g. dispersion of drill mud and cutting, dilution of produced water as well as propagation of underwater noise. In addition, Maersk Oil prepares EIF and the PEC/PNEC calculations for each of the five projects, within the “CHARM" means the Chemical Hazard Assessment and Risk Management model developed by authorities and offshore industry. The calculations have some weaknessess (as reviewed in /1/), but is considered valid for the impact assessment.

The project which is assessed is at or near existing platforms, where monitoring of chemical and biological conditions have been undertaken for many years. These surveys contribute to a solid baseline, as well as an understanding of the environmental impacts.

Impacts of underwater noise is not well understood, and there is ongoing debate regarding thresholds for potential impact.

12.3.2 Accidental events Oil spill modelling has been undertaken for a number of spill scenarios. However, the spill rates for blowouts are not directly comparable, but considered applicable as a worst case scenario.

12.3.3 Cumulative impacts The North Sea is one of the most heavily trafficked in the world, and there are intensive fisheries. The Greater North Sea is surrounded by densely populated and highly industrialised countries, and regional and global changes tooceanic, atmospheric, and climate regulation processes pose additional threats. A number of responses and measures have been implemented to reduce pressures on the environment and resulting impacts, but despite this, the cumulative environmental effects on the area are causing concern.

There is no general method for combining impacts across different geographical scales and as a result of different pressures. It is therefore difficult to assess the severity of the cumulative environmental effects on the ecosystem. Uncertainty and lack of knowledge about the population status of species, the range and ecological status of habitat types, and the impacts of environmental pressures also add to the uncertainty of assessments of environmental impacts.

Assessment of the impact of oil and gas activities in isolation may thus understate overall impacts by excluding potential impacts of past, present, or future impacts of other human activities.

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13. REFERENCES

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Environmental and social impact statement - GORM 1-1

APPENDIX 1 TECHNICAL SECTIONS